FRESNO, Calif. – The Louisiana Tech Volleyball team was able to force a fourth set after an incredible comeback, but Seattle U ended up clinching it with a 3-1 victory on Saturday afternoon inside the Save Mart Center.
 
Inconsistency doomed LA Tech (2-5) in the finale of the Fresno State Invitational as the Lady Techsters only managed a .179 hitting percentage while Seattle U (1-2) generated a .312 hitting percentage to win it 25-16, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20.
 
The Redhawks controlled much of the first set, building as much as an 11-point lead behind 14 kills on just 25 total attacks to ultimately go up 1-0 (25-16) in the match.
 
The second set was a dogfight that included 12 ties and six lead changes.  After a solo block by Imana Ellis gave the Lady Techsters a slim 19-18 edge, the Redhawks took advantage of two attack errors to go on a 4-0 scoring run and go up 2-0 on the 25-21 win.
 
LA Tech quickly found itself behind 5-0 in the third set.  Seattle U maintained that lead for the majority of the set, being three points away from a sweep at 22-18.  However, the Lady Techsters made an incredible comeback by winning seven straight points, including three straight from Morgan Smith on two kills and a block solo, to close out the third set at 25-22.
 
The fourth set was neck-and-neck as well as the Redhawks clung to a small 21-19 advantage.  LA Tech could not mount another comeback though as Seattle U closed it out, 25-20.
 
Smith produced nine kills for a team-best .368 hitting percentage.  The freshman Sydney Jackwin again anchored the team with 16 kills to go along with 11 digs for another double-double.  Mallory Meers produced 20 assists.
 
Seattle U was powered by Arianna Bilby who tallied a game-high 22 kills.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amber McCray
 
"Inconsistency is killing us right now.  Seattle did a great job putting pressure on us with their serve right away and disrupting our offense so we were never able to get into a flow.  We did not get the offensive production we needed out of several key positions and unfortunately that was the difference all weekend.  The good news is this team is not even close to our full potential and there is so much season left.  We will regroup and find ways to be better in another big week ahead."
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech has gone four sets in five of its seven matches this season.
• LA Tech registered seven service aces, the fourth time this season they have had at least seven in a single game.
• Sydney Jackwin recorded her third double-double in the last four matches.
• Mallory Meers posted 20 assists, the 17th time in her career she has had 20+ (first time this season).

UP NEXT
LA Tech returns to Ruston on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to face in-state foe ULM.  First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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