PINE BLUFF, Ark. – TSU fought back from an early 1-0 deficit and won three straight sets to claim a 3-1 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday.
UAPB had an early 11-4 run in set one to jump ahead 15-9 but TSU rallied back with a 7-1 run to knot it at 16-all. UAPB countered with four straight points but TSU responded with three straight as they trailed 20-19. With UAPB leading 23-22, TSU committed an untimely service error which allowed UAPB to regain serve and close out set one 25-22.
After an early setback, TSU took control early in set two with a 14-6 lead but UAPB narrowed the gap to 15-11 before five straight points gave TSU a 20-11 lead. UAPB once again cut the lead to five at 20-15 and was within four at 23-19 before two consecutive TSU points gave them a 25-19 win.
UAPB seized momentum early in set three with a 15-8 lead but a pair of Lauren Battle kills along with one from Gracie Hill reduced the margin to 16-12. UAPB managed to push its lead back to five at 19-14 but TSU went on an 8-1 run fueled by kills from Kourtni Collier and Hill to claim a 23-20 lead. UAPB narrowed it to 23-21 but Hill's two kills paved the way for a 25-22 win.
TSU stormed out to a 13-5 lead in set four but UAPB fought back and closed it to 13-10. A Battle kill and UAPB error moved the lead back to 15-10. TSU upped its lead to eight once again on two occasions and managed to hold off a late Golden Lion charge to win 25-17.
Battle led TSU with 12 kills followed by nine from Hill and Collier. Collier also had four blocks while Ava Ray added 26 assists. Angelika Rusin and Kennedi Walker had 19 and 13, digs respectively.
TSU will face off against Grambling State at 6 p.m. Monday in Grambling, La.
