CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Sophomore libero Paula Passmore
(Merritt Island, Fla.) had a career-night with 38 digs as the University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team compiled 105 digs in its five-set loss
to Elon, 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 15-9), at Maclellan Gym on Saturday. Sophomore
outside Heather Parman (Ooltewah, Tenn.) recorded her fifth double-double of
the season with 18 kills and a career-high 22 digs.
The story of the match was the play of freshman setter Tess
Kosycarz (Temecula, Calif.) stepping in after an injury to Bailee Chastain
(Chattanooga, Tenn.) earlier this week and registering a season-high 55
assists.
“Tess did a great job tonight,” said head coach Lisa Rhodes.
“I felt like our offense did not miss a beat with her. If our middles would
have played just a little better, then I think the outcome would have been
different.
“Paula had a great defensive game and that is what we expect
from her. She stepped up her defensive game and kudos to Elon because they came
up with the big plays when they needed to.”
Sophomore outside Meagan Ernd (Munster, Ind.) contributed on
the offensive attack with 16 kills, respectively, while sophomore right side
Christina Teter (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) tallied 14 kills and senior middle
blocker Courtney Barnes (Franklin, Tenn.) helped to stretch the Phoenix
defense for sideline to sideline.
“It really opens up a lot for the offense,” said Teter. “We
had a lot of times when they stuck with me on the outside. It is easy for us
because as a team, we are creating a lot more openings, since the other team
is guessing, which one of use is getting the ball.”
The defensive effort was phenomenal for Chattanooga as four
players hit double-figures in digs led by Passmore and Parman along with senior
right side Jessica Scott (Lawrence, Kan.) and sophomore outside Kirsten Bealey,
who each registered 11 digs.
“It is the best feeling especially getting a big dig or save
and know that your teammates are able to score a point,” said Passmore. “Being
a libero is the best thing because you start the play and do all that you can do.
It was just great to see us finish today. I wanted to make it as easy as
possible for Tess [Kosycarz] to get the ball the hitters.”
Overall, Chattanooga (10-18, 5-7 SoCon) recorded more kills
(70), assists (67) and digs (102) against Elon (16-12, 7-4 SoCon), but the
Phoenix were able to force some mistakes at crucial points in the match along
with 12 blocks.
The first set began with a 7-1 run for the Lady Mocs on
kills by Teter (3) and Parman (2), and they would stretch the advantage to 12-6
on a kill by Ernd. Chattanooga would maintain a decisive lead throughout the
set compiling a 23-17 lead following a Kosycarz kill.
“It is really nice having that outlet with the outsides
because their confidence is so high that they want the ball,” said Kosycarz. “Our
middles and right sides are always pulling blockers and it becomes a one-on-one
on the outside.”
Elon would mount a small comeback before a Parman kill ended
the frame, 25-22. Passmore notched 11 digs during the set to set a tone in the
match, while Kosycarz started strong with 14 assists on the 17 kills by the
Lady Mocs.
The second set saw 10 ties and eight lead changes, the most
during the contest, as the Phoenix were able to take it 25-22. With the set
knotted at 20, the Phoenix went on a 5-2 run recording three kills and a block.
The Lady Mocs totaled 16 kills, but were unable to overcome seven mistakes.
Following the intermission, Elon controlled the second set
from start to finish as Chattanooga tied it up three times early before the
Phoenix pulled away with a 25-19 victory. The Lady Mocs once again saw the ball
hit the floor 14 times, but their opponents were able to capitalize on 10
attacking errors.
After the Phoenix took a 6-3 advantage, Chattanooga rolled
off six-straight points in taking a lead capped by kills by Kosycarz and Teter
and three mistakes from its opponent. With UTC up 18-17, a kill by Parman lead to
a rally that saw kills from Teter (2) and Ernd to stretch the lead to five and
it would close the frame out at 25-21.
Over the first six rallies of the fifth set, the score was
tied up, but Elon would take a 6-3 lead and keep it thoughout as it would scored
the final four points in a 15-9 victory. Chattanooga cut the deficit to one,
four times, but was unable to put together a long rally as the Phoeniz recorded
a block and were able to dig up attacks at key times.
Chattanooga concludes the weekend on Sunday at 5 p.m. against
UNC Greensboro inside Maclellan Gym before traveling to Appalachian State and
Western Carolina next weekend.
