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Tennessee Tech volleyball team defeated Furman 3-1 to reach a 2-0 record in SoCon play.
When Furman punched back to even the match Saturday afternoon, Tennessee Tech answered with the kind of resolve that has quickly become a trademark of its Southern Conference start.
The Golden Eagles responded by winning the final two sets, putting together a balanced offensive attack and making the critical plays down the stretch to secure a 3-1 (26-24, 19-25, 25-20, 25-20) victory over the Paladins at the Hooper Eblen Center.
With the win, Tech improved to 2-0 in SoCon play and continued its strong opening stretch of conference action.
The Golden Eagles set the tone immediately in a tightly contested opening frame. Neither team could create much separation as Tech and Furman combined for 19 ties and eight lead changes throughout the match. Tech eventually found the difference it needed at the finish, taking the opening set, 26-24.
Furman responded by taking the second set, 25-19, but the Golden Eagles came out of the intermission with renewed energy.
Tech jumped in front 8-2 in the third set and continued to withstand every Furman challenge. The Paladins closed the gap, but the Golden Eagles maintained control late and finished off the frame, 25-20, to move within one set of the victory.
The fourth set proved to be another test of Tech's composure.
After Furman pulled even at 11-11 and 12-12, the Golden Eagles gradually began to pull away. A kill from Jordyn Milhouse helped Tech take a 15-14 lead, and the Golden Eagles continued to build their advantage behind timely attacking and defensive plays. Tech pushed ahead 23-18 before closing out the match, 25-20.
Audrey Berkebile and Alayna Pierce led the Golden Eagle offense with 12 kills apiece, while Milhouse added seven kills and four blocks. Morgan Petelin orchestrated the attack with 45 assists, while Shelby Hannah provided a steady defensive presence with 18 digs.
Pierce added 14 digs to complete a double-double, while Petelin contributed five digs and four kills in an all-around performance. Tech finished with eight total blocks and six service aces while collecting 72 digs.
The Golden Eagles' ability to answer Furman's best stretches proved decisive. After dropping the second set, Tech controlled the final two frames and never allowed the Paladins to force a fifth set.
Saturday's victory gives Tennessee Tech a 2-0 start to SoCon play and another important early-season step for a Golden Eagle squad that continues to build momentum inside the Hooper Eblen Center.
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