PULASKI, Tenn. – The William Carey Volleyball team fell to UT-Southern 3-1 Saturday afternoon at the Curry Athletic Complex.
 
The first set was close early on but behind a 6-1 run the Firehawks found themselves with a 13-7 lead. That was all the momentum UTS needed as they eventually pulled away to a 22-14 advantage before taking the set 25-18.
 
UT-Southern used that momentum to take the first five points to open the second set. A kill by Agnes Hegardt broke the run and sparked a 5-0 run by WCU to even the set. Just like in the first set, the Firehawks used a 5-1 run to gain some separation before going on to take a 19-14 advantage. The Lady Crusaders fought back within two at 19-17 but would get no closer, as UTS closed the set on a 6-3 run to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Carey got off to a great start in the third set, taking an early 9-3 lead. The Firehawks stayed the course and slowly chipped away at the WCU lead eventually tying the set on multiple occasions before taking a 23-21 lead.
 
The Lady Crusaders took advantage of an attack error to put them within one point and followed with a kill by Natalie Bartholomew and a service ace from Maurin Reyes to retake the lead. WCU did not waste their first chance at set point, as Bartholomew came through with the kill to give the Lady Crusaders the 25-23 third set win.
 
WCU started the fourth set just like the third, taking an early 8-3 lead. Instead of chipping away at the lead like they did in the previous set, the Firehawks answered with a 9-2 run to take a two-point lead. From there both teams went back and forth but with score 20-19 in favor of UTS, the Firehawks used a 5-1 run to close out the set to seal the victory.
 
WCU returns to action Tuesday, October 7, as they take on Xavier University in non-conference action. Play is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Ben Waddle Complex.