KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Lady Vols (4-3) picked up a dominant win over New Hampshire (5-4) on Friday night, sweeping the Wildcats in straight sets at Thompson Boling Arena.
Tennessee was led by dominating performances from Morgahn Fingall and Erykah Lovett, and after starting the season 1-2, the Lady Vols have won three of their last four games
The Lady Vols got off to a fast start in set one quickly growing their lead to 11-4 before New Hampshire called timeout. It was a very balanced attack for the Lady Vols as five different players recorded at least two kills before the end of the set. Tennessee was clicking on all cylinders as they took set one 25-12.
Set two was more of the same from the Lady Vols led by Fingall and Natalie Hayward, who pitched in three dump kills on top of her normal duties as a setter. New Hampshire, led by Lindsey Kriendler’s five kills, started to make a comeback but the Lady Vols squashed it quickly winning set two 25-14.
The deciding set three was also dominated by Fingall and Lovett, along with freshman Keondrey Granberry, who finished with seven kills. Granberry has improved in every game so far and Friday night was no different as she was the Lady Vols’ sure fire third option.
With Danielle Mahaffey still out, the Lady Vols will need more performances like this from Granberry.
Fingall (16 kills) and Lovett (13 kills) were by far the stars of the show as Tennessee continued to feed them both down the stretch. It was clear that they were the two best athletes on the court. Granberry led the Vols in blocks (3) while Hayward led recorded 37 assists. Freshman Kadynce Boothe also contributed a team-high 10 digs along with her five kills.
Set three continued and Tennessee won by a score of 25-12 again, sweeping New Hampshire. After a tough start to the season, it is good to see the Lady Vols control games against lower tier teams before SEC play.
Friday’s game was one of three for the Lady Vols in the upcoming weekend with matches against both Norfolk State (noon EST) and The Citadel (6:30 P.M. EST) on Saturday at Thompson-Boling arena for the Rocky Top Classic. Both games will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
There are only five games left until SEC season, including a trip to No. 8 Pittsburgh and a match vs No. 7 Ohio State.