University of Louisville
TENNESSEE STATE<BR>(Courtyard by Marriott Airport Classic)
No. 14 ranked Volleyball Sweeps Tennessee State
September 03, 2005 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2005
Senior Lena Ustymenko had 18 kills and seven digs to lead the No. 14 ranked University of Louisville volleyball team to a 30-21, 30-24, 30-21 sweep of Tennessee State at the Courtyard by Marriott Airport Classic in Cardinal Arena Saturday night.
"Tennessee State had our number blocking this match, but we finally got on track hitting in the third game," said U of L head coach Leonid Yelin. "It was an opportunity for our underclassmen to get playing time and we are looking forward to playing an Ohio team which is definitely on a roll."
Louisville improved its record to 2-0 with TSU falling to 2-5. The Cardinals will play undefeated Ohio University(4-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Cardinal Arena. TSU used strong blocking to keep U of L hitters guessing, outblocking the Cardinals 10-6. U of L did little to help itself with 11 serving errors with only one game of hitting better than 160.
After building a comfortable lead at 19-10 in the first game, U of L had to put down a TSU comeback that saw the Tigers pull to within four at 22-19. The 6-1 TSU run was thwarted when U of L outscored them 7-2 down the stretch. Neither team was hitting well with the Cardinals connecting on just .163. Ustymenko had eight kills in the game.
Tennessee State stayed tight in the second set. The Tigers took their first lead at 6-4, with stood a U of L comeback to tie at 12, 13, 14, 15. The Cardinals temporarily got the Tigers out of their rear view mirror with a five point run to go up 24-19 and then pulled away for 30-24 win.
U of L outscored TSU 8-3 down the stretch of the final game, when their hitting came alive to .447. Freshman Rui Liu hit .625 with five kills on eight attacks and no errors.
TSU was led by Kelly Davis' nine kills. Ericka Godbolt had four kills and a team high 10 digs for the Tigers.
