By Ashley Stadnicki
The Lady Vols just picked up a big one in Happy Valley.
Tennessee volleyball took down No. 9 Penn State 3-1 Sunday, earning the program’s seventh-ever win over a top-10 opponent and its first road top-10 victory since 2011.
Tennessee came out swinging, taking the opening set 25-19. The Lady Vols built an early lead behind three kills from Jalyn Stout, before Mackenzie Plante came up with a big ace to close out the set.
Penn State answered in the third, but Tennessee continued to battle. The Lady Vols took the second set 25-23 before the Nittany Lions responded with a 25-20 win in the third.
That set up a fourth-set finish with everything on the line.
Tennessee jumped out to a 22-15 lead, putting the Lady Vols just three points away from the upset. Maggie Dostic reached double-digit kills in the fourth set, continuing to provide the offensive punch Tennessee needed to finish the job.
And when it was time to close it out, Dostic delivered once again.
Dostic’s kill on match point sent the Lady Vols into celebration and sealed the 3-1 road victory.
Tennessee walked into Penn State’s house and walked out with a top-10 road win. The program’s first since 2011.
Final: Tennessee 3, Penn State 1
25-19, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20
A big road dub for the Lady Vols.