Georgia Falls in Four Sets at Tennessee

Wednesday, October 28

Knoxville, Tenn.

7:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

1-2,1-2SEC

Tennessee

1-2,1-2SEC

Georgia

Tennessee

Photo by: Chamberlain Smith

October 28, 2020 | Volleyball

Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Georgia women's volleyball team dropped a four-set decision at Tennessee Wednesday evening at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Bulldogs (1-2) fell behind two sets to none but staved off a sweep by winning the third frame, 26-24, and keeping the match alive. Tennessee (1-2) regrouped after set three to roll to a 25-15 set four win and a four-set victory in the match.

"Tennessee played well, and we're disappointed with how we performed tonight," said head coach Tom Black. "I thought our back row defense was really tough tonight and we need to bring that toughness into a better response tomorrow."

Sophomore Amber Stivrins registered her second-consecutive double-digit kill match, notching 11. Junior Mallory Hernandez picked up nine kills while senior Rachel Ritchie entered in the third set and laid down seven kills in the final two frames.

Redshirt-junior libero Claire Rothenberger picked up a season-high 16 digs, her first double-digit dig performance of the season. Senior setter Brynn Chandler picked up a career-best 13 digs while Kacie Evans also topped the double-digit mark at 11. It was also Chandler's first career double-double, adding 15 assists.

The opening stanza was tight to start as the set featured seven ties up to 8-8. Tennessee then began opening a lead on the Bulldogs, 13-9. Georgia cut it to 14-12 but Tennessee was able to open a five-point lead at 18-13 quickly after that. Tennessee halted Georgia from coming any closer and took the first set 25-16.

Georgia jumped out to an early 5-1 lead to force a quick Lady Vol timeout in set two, but Tennessee came out of the timeout to win the next seven points and take an 8-5 lead. Georgia was able to knot it up at 13 but Tennessee responded with a 3-0 run of its own to retake the lead and used it to widen its lead to 21-15. Tennessee took a two-set lead with a 25-19 set two win.

Once again, an early Bulldog lead in the third set forced a quick Tennessee timeout, 7-3 Georgia. The Bulldogs were able to keep Tennessee at arm's length the entire set, en route to drawing set point on a block by Meghan Froemming and Sage Naves, 24-21. Tennessee didn't go quietly, winning the next three rallies to tie it up at 24. Another Bulldog block gave Georgia the advantage and a Tennessee error secured the set for the Bulldogs, 26-24.

Tennessee flipped the script in the fourth set, this time taking a quick 7-4 lead and forcing a Georgia timeout. The Bulldog timeout fueled the Lady Vol offense as Tennessee widened the gap to 10-5 as Georgia used its final timeout. Georgia worked to narrow the lead and back-to-back kills from Hernandez and Stivrins cut the lead to 15-12. Following a Tennessee break, the Lady Vols put the foot on the gas and won 10 of the next 13 points to win the match, 25-15.

Georgia and Tennessee square off again Thursday evening at Thompson-Boling Arena. First serve is set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network.