University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
9-1,0-0SEC
Kennesaw State
6-4,0-0CUSA
#24 Lady Vols Sweep Kennesaw State To Conclude Non-Conference Play
September 19, 2025 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The 24th-ranked Tennessee volleyball team completed non-conference action on a four-sweep trend after another successful match against Kennesaw State on Friday at Food City Center.
Once again, Senior libero Gülce Güçtekin reached a career milestone of 100 aces during the match from her ace in the second frame. Güçtekin tallied eight digs, five assists, and two aces for Tennessee. Redshirt-junior setter Caroline Kerr also achieved a major accomplishment of 100 career blocks during the third set of the match. Kerr finished with 30 assists, four blocks, three digs, and two kills.
The Big Orange (9-1) continued their authority on offense, with 37 kills and nine aces to take down the Owls (6-4). Sophomore middle blocker Chelsea Sutton had a well-rounded performance with six kills, five digs, four blocks, and an ace. Another offensive lead from senior outside hitter Hayden Kubik added nine kills on .400 hitting, to go along with six digs. Redshirt-senior outside/opposite hitter Starr Williams stepped up as well, bringing eight kills, two blocks, and one dig to the court.
Defensively, the Lady Vols stifled the Owls' offense all evening, holding them to a .165 hitting percentage. As a unit, the team finished with 39 digs and seven blocks. Güçtekin and freshman outside hitter Maggie Dostic tied for the team lead with eight digs in the match, while Sutton and Kerr led the way at the net with four total blocks.
Tennessee got off to a slow start in the first set, finding itself trailing midway through the frame. A 6-1 run late helped give the Lady Vols the advantage, and they would hold on to take the early advantage. Paityn Chapman came out swinging in the first, finishing with five kills. She was joined by Williams, who picked up four kills as well. Kerr got action started with 11 assists, while Dostic led the way on defense with five digs.
The Big Orange took full control of the second stanza, taking a 10-2 lead early. The Owls were unable to get into a rhythm in the second, finishing with just seven kills and a .000 hitting percentage. Kerr added eight more assists in the set, while also notching her 100th career block. Kerr wasn't the only Lady Vol to reach a career milestone, with Güçtekin picking up her 100th career ace. Tennessee put up a strong performance from the service line with six aces, led by Dostic with three. The squad was in command at the net, with four players picking up a block each.
After splitting points early on, two runs of three unanswered points gave Tennessee a comfortable lead. Kennesaw State would attempt a late comeback in the third, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Vols finished off the set and the match. Kubik capped off her performance with six kills in the third, while also picking up four digs. Kerr finished off her impressive night in the middle with 11 assists. Sutton added two more blocks to her total on the evening, while Güçtekin scratched out five digs.
Up next, the Lady Vols begin SEC play as they welcome Georgia to Food City Center on Sept. 24. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
