NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In its final tune-up before opening its home schedule on Friday, the University of Evansville volleyball team picked up a big 3-0 road win over previously undefeated Tennessee State on Tuesday evening.

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Box Score (PDF)

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Evansville, who improved to 8-1 with the win, faced deficits of 5+ points in the opening two sets before rallying to win both.  The Purple Aces overcame a Tiger rally in the third frame to earn the 3-0 sweep.  Alondra Vazquez recorded a team-best 12 digs to go along with 11 kills in the win.  Melanie Feliciano had the top kill tally with 12 while Giulia Cardona added 11.  Cardona and fellow freshman Taya Haffner added three service aces apiece.  Haffner also recorded 29 assists.
 
Set 1
After jumping out to a 5-1 advantage, Tennessee State extended its lead to 15-8.  That is when Evansville kicked it into high gear, scoring the next nine points to take a 16-15 lead.  Vazquez did the job with her serving while Cardona added three kills in the rally.  The Tigers fended off the challenge to go in front at 19-17 before a Feliciano kill and Cardona ace tied it right back up.  A pair of Tiger errors put Evansville back in the lead before a pair of late Vazquez kills finished off a 25-22 decision and a 1-0 UE lead.
 
Set 2
Another big time start by TSU put them in front by an 8-2 tally to open game two.  Aleksandra Rojecka picked up three consecutive kills to cap off the early stretch.  The Aces closed the gap one point at a time before back-to-back aces from Laura Ruiz tied it up at 12-12.  Cardona went on to record consecutive kills that put her team on top for good.  Her offense broke a 13-13 tie and helped UE pull away for a 25-17 win.  She added another ace that extended the lead to 21-16 before Madisyn Steele and Vazquez capped of the set.
 
Set 3
Evansville had the upper hand to open the third set, turning a 7-6 lead into a 14-7 advantage with a 7-1 run.  Vazquez added two more kills to her total while Taya Haffner finished the rally with a pair of aces to cement the lead.  Tennessee State did not give up and inched its way back, getting within two (23-21) on a UE error.  Cardona's 11^th kill of the evening brought up match point before a Tiger error gave the Aces a 25-21 victory and a 3-0 sweep.
 
With three non-conference tournaments and nine matches in the books, the Aces are set to open the home schedule on Friday with the Dunn Hospitality Tournament.  UE faces Liberty at 1 p.m. on Friday before hosting Cleveland State at 7 p.m.  On Saturday, the Aces will take on Murray State in a 3 p.m. match.
 

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