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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Genesis Miranda had the offense cranking once again, but after taking the first set, the Purple Aces volleyball team saw the University of Tennessee take the next three to take a 3-1 win on Tuesday evening at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.
 
Miranda had a match-high 21 kills while Stephanie Cerino had 9 for UE (3-5).  Mildrelis Rodriguez finished the night with seven.  Rodriguez also led the team with 14 digs while Kim Deprez had 13.  Lorena Marquez held strong with her setting, totaling 33 assists.  Pacing the Volunteers (9-0) was Kanisha Jimenez, who tallied 16 kills.  She was one of four UT players to record double-digit kills.
 
"It was a very similar battle to last year.  We were able to keep our composure for most of the game," head coach Manolo Concepcion said.  "Although we are so young, we kept our poise.  This was great preparation for what is coming.  Tennessee looks a lot like teams we will play like Wichita State, UNI and Illinois State.  We are excited to come back this weekend."
 
A 6-0 run began the night for the Purple Aces as they were strong in the early moments of the first set.  Despite a Tennessee rally, the Aces were able to take the set by a 25-22 final.  Mildrelis Rodriguez was the star of the opening run, notching a pair of kills.  The Volunteers fought back as an 11-4 run gave them their first lead at 11-10.  They continued to lead at 21-19 before the Aces rallied back.  A Miranda kill and a Rocio Fortuny service aces spearheaded a game-ending 6-1 run as the Aces picked up the early 1-0 lead.
 
It was Tennessee who had the early jump in the second frame, scoring the first three points before going up 9-3.  The Aces, behind great serving from Fortuny, fought back to tie it up at 11-11.  The Volunteers wrestled the lead back, going up by as many as four at 19-15 before hanging on for a 25-22 win.
 
With the match tied, the all-important third set proved to shift momentum.  Evansville took an early 4-1 advantage before the Vols rallied back to tie it up at 5-5.  Several ties ensued, leading to an 18-18 score.  Genesis Miranda put the Aces on top 21-19 in a run that featured four-consecutive kills.  The lead quickly disappeared as Tennessee ended the set on a 6-1 run to go up 2-1. 
 
In the fourth game, Tennessee was at their best, clinching the match with a 25-15 win.
 
This weekend, the Aces are finally at home for the Dunn Hospitality Tournament where they will play host to Jackson State, Western Illinois and Northern Kentucky.  They open it up on Friday versus JSU at 6:30 p.m. inside the Carson Center.
 

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