JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team (7-12, 2-1) showed their heart on Tuesday night, despite losing to Jacksonville State 3-1; 17-25, 19-25, 25-20 and 25-27.

Coming out of the intermission with a 2-0 deficit on their shoulders, the Golden Eagles came out fighting in set three. Behind five kills from both junior Cody Dodd and freshman Kellie Williams, Tech put down 18 kills on a match-high .222 hitting percentage. The Golden Eagles also dug up 28 digs as a team, to help Tech take the third set from the Gamecocks, 25-20.

In the fourth set, the Golden Eagles fought Jax State tooth and nail to try and bring the match to a fifth set, but despite 16 kills and four blocks, Tech was unable to top the Gamecocks, as JSU took the match in extra points, 27-25.

Williams finished the match with a game-high 18 kills on an impressive .268 hitting percentage. Joining her with double-digit kills were Dodd and redshirt sophomore Alyssa Povey. Both put down 11 kills. Dodd added 16 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Povey's 11 kills were a season high, and she added four blocks.

Senior Courtney Smith continued her defensive prowess as she scooped up 23 digs in four sets. Freshman Jordan Wachowiak added five blocks. Sophomore Sharon Anderson tallied 12 digs, while dishing out 47 assists for her sixth double-double of the season.

The Gamecocks were led by senior middle blocker Nicole Merget, who put away 13 kills while only committing one error for a notable .500 hitting percentage. Allyson Zuhlke and Emily Rutherford also put away double-figure kills. Zuhlke led the way with 15, while Rutherford added 10 and 14 digs.

Tech returns to action Friday night as they head to Southeast Missouri for a 6 p.m. CT match.