Michelle Piantadosi led the Lady Vols in kills on the evening with 12 and also
recorded four blocks. Freshman Kristen Andre posted 11 kills
and five blocks as well. Heather Harrington also had five rejections. Knytych ended
the contest with 33 assists, a match-high 15 digs, four kills and three
blocks. Kelli Scott concluded the match with eight kills, eight digs and two blocks.
The Lady Vols got off to a slow start in the first game, dropping the first
three points, but the frame was quickly tied, 4-4, after Piantadosi ripped off one of her four kills during the game. The two teams split the next 20 rallies to deadlock the score at 14 before the Big Orange took control, claiming eight of the next nine points for a 22-15
advantage. Down the stretch, freshman outside hitter Jasmine Fullove led the
Orange and White, tallying four kills with UT up 27-16 en route to the 30-17
victory.
During the first round, Scott recorded her
1,000th career kill, which came during the 34th rally of the frame and gave
Tennessee a 19-15 lead. Scott also recorded her 1,000th career dig earlier
this season against South Carolina on Oct. 13, making her only the fourth Lady
Vol to eclipse both marks. She joins Kristy Dobson, Stephanie Ehlers and Sonja
Thomas as a member of this elite group. Head Coach Rob Patrick presented the
game ball to the Peoria, Ariz., native following the match.
''I'm very proud of Kelli,'' said Patrick. ''She's very deserving of this
achievement. Her hard work and dedication has made her reach her full
potential as a player. It's nice to see a person who makes great decisions on
and off the court receive these accolades.''
The second game remained close in the early goings until the Lady Vols
grabbed a 7-6 advantage on a kill courtesy of
Harrington. From there, Tennessee would roll, going on several small runs to
add to their lead. The point of the match came when the Orange and White ran
the score to 23-16 after UT freshman setter Julie Knytych dug a blistering
attack from junior outside hitter Kate Steidle. The ball floated toward the
front, middle portion of the court, where Fullove strategically dropped a
no-look attack on the left side of the court with her back facing the
baseline. Tennessee went on to win game two by a 30-22 count.
Game 3 was tight most of the way, but Tennessee gained some breathing
room with a three-point lead, 19-16, after a hitting miscue by the Buccaneers.
The Lady Volsâ lead, however, did not last long as ETSU gained the upper hand,
21-20, after an unforced error by Tennessee. With the game knotted at 25
apiece, the pressure was too much for the Buccaneers as they committed costly
errors. Piantadosi sealed the 30-28 victory for the Big Orange with her third
kill of the frame.
The Lady Vols will wrap up the regular season this weekend when they host
Arkansas and LSU before heading to Fayetteville, Ark., for the SEC Tournament
on Nov. 22-24. Tennessee will take on the Lady Razorbacks on Friday, Nov. 15,
at 7 p.m. and then welcome the Tigers to Stokely Athletics Center at 2 p.m. on
Sunday, Nov. 17. UT was shutout by Arkansas and LSU earlier this season.
Friday will also be senior day for outside hitters Kelli Scott and Janelle
Hester.