NEED TO KNOW
Score: Tennessee Southern 3, Life 1
Record: Life 8-6 (3-3 SSAC)

MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University women's volleyball team came up short in a four-set match Friday night, falling to Tennessee Southern 25–18, 26–24, 20–25, 26–24 in SSAC play.

Tennessee Southern built momentum early in the opening set, capitalizing on nine Life U attack errors. After an ace from Erica Irby and a Jade Watson kill pulled the Running Eagles within four at 14–10, the Firehawks answered with a 6–1 stretch to extend their lead and never looked back, closing out the set 25–18.

The second set was the most competitive of the night, featuring 13 ties and six lead changes. Life U surged ahead midway through as Watson and Paola Vega combined for three kills in a 5–1 run to take a 14–11 edge. The Running Eagles eventually reached set point at 24–20 following a UT Southern error, but the Firehawks regrouped out of a timeout and rallied for six straight points to steal the frame 26–24 and build a two-set lead.

Life U responded in the third with its best offensive performance of the night, hitting .222 in the frame. Vega and Watson again led the charge with multiple kills each. Holding a slim 19–18 advantage, the Running Eagles closed the set on a 6–2 run, highlighted by two Watson kills and a Vega swing, to secure the 25–20 win.

The fourth set was another back-and-forth battle that featured eight ties. The Running Eagles matched the Firehawks nearly point-for-point behind steady play from Watson and Vega, but UTS prevailed in the closing moments to take the set 26–24 and clinch the match.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Life U posted 57 kills compared to Tennessee Southern's 38, but committed 36 attack errors.
– The Firehawks out-blocked the Running Eagles 12.0–5.0.
– Life U held a 7–6 advantage in service aces but also committed 14 service errors.
– The Running Eagles recorded 61 digs, led by Reign Jarin's 22, while Tennessee Southern finished with 44.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
– Jade Watson paced the attack with 17 kills and added a block.
– Paola Vega followed with 14 kills, three block assists, and 15.5 total points.
– Esosa Ehigiator contributed six kills on a .308 hitting percentage along with three blocks.
– Reign Jarin anchored the defense with 22 digs and added three service aces.
– Setters Gabriela Rivera and Fabiana Cruz split duties evenly, each finishing with 26 assists.

UP NEXT
The Running Eagles return to SSAC play on Saturday, hosting Blue Mountain Christian at 1 p.m. in the Upper Gym.