Late Surge Not Enough As Tigers Fall On The Road Monday Night

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – In what was nearly a replay of last week’s match, the TSU volleyball team fell behind early before fighting back with solid play late but couldn’t close as PVAMU claimed a 3-0 win Monday night.

Tied 3-3 in set one, several net errors hurt TSU as the tie turned into a 7-3 deficit but TSU rebounded and closed to within 8-6. Sophomore Danielle Lilley had a pair of powerful kills to keep TSU within striking distance but unforced errors by TSU led to a 16-9 PVAMU lead before a TSU timeout. After the timeout, the gap would grow as PVAMU came out with a block as it fueled a 5-0 run which forced TSU to call another timeout as they trailed 21-9. A kill by Lilley would put TSU back on the board but a tipped ball on a block attempt gave PVAMU another point. TSU would manage to score three points after the timeout but it wasn’t enough as PVAMU claimed set one 25-12.

TSU would fall behind 8-2 to open set two but TSU would respond with three straight points to close to 8-5 before a serve violation by TSU ended the run. PVAMU would score three straight until an error to end their brief run but TSU continued to stay within striking distance as a kill by Janiya Chapman would lead to several TSU points. After the brief rally, the contest was eerily similar to last week’s meeting as TSU began to assert themselves late and found themselves down 21-18 which led to a PVAMU timeout. PVAMU would come out of the timeout with two straight points until a PVAMU net violation and Lilley kill drew TSU to 23-20. PVAMU answered with a kill but a big kill by Chapman had TSU down 24-21. Unfortunately, another attack error by TSU saw the ball fly out of bounds as they fell 25-21.

The Lady Tigers came out strong in set three and led 5-2 until a service error gave PVAMU a free point. TSU would shake off the error and continued to battle as they would jump out to a 20-17 lead before a violation by TSU. An injury timeout would halt action for several minutes and the momentum would go back to PVAMU as they recorded four straight points before a well-placed kill by Lilley appeared to tie the set at 22-all. However, the point was rescinded and the officials issued a replay. PVAMU scored the next two points with the final on a reception error by TSU as TSU dropped a tough game 25-21.

TSU is back in action for a Louisiana swing Saturday at Grambling State (4 p.m.) and Sunday at Southern (5 p.m.).