By Layne Weitzel, TTU Sports Information

AKRON, Ohio – Tennessee Tech volleyball struggled through its opener at the Akron Invitational Friday night, eventually falling 0-3 (14-25, 19-25, 21-25) to the La Salle Explorers.

The Golden Eagles (2-2) couldn't overcome their passing problems and, coupled with factors like La Salle's nine service aces, found themselves trailing by large deficits to the Explorers (4-1) throughout the match.

Starting middle blocker Rachel Thomas and outside hitter Shealene Little were held to negative hitting percentages of -.200 and -.053 respectively, totaling just 5 kills off 29 attacks. Outside hitter Abigail Duncan, who came in off the bench, was also held to a -.071 percentage. As a whole, the team totaled a .056 hitting percentage, with Kellie Williams managing to hit .227.

"Our hitters never were able to get put into a good position to hit, so they were trying to make things happen that we just couldn't," said head coach Dave Zelenock. "They were hitting from so far away from the net. Our first and second contacts just weren't very good.

"If we can pass the ball, we're physical enough that we can hit against anyone, but we've got to be near the net so our athleticism is useful."

Tech began the match shaky, falling into a 7-1 hole early before a called timeout. It eventually cut the La Salle lead to 17-14, but the Explorers went on an 8-0 run to lock up the first set win.

In the second set, Tech again fell into a big deficit, trailing 20-10. It managed to cut the lead to within five points at 22-17 La Salle, but the Explorers held on to win the second set 25-19.

Tech was finally able to grab a lead in the third set, up 14-10 and needing a win to extend the match. However, La Salle tied it up at 19-all and inched ahead, winning by its closest margin at 25-21.