Sept. 27, 2009

Box Score | Box Score

EL PASO, Texas - Senior Jennifer Eichler and freshman Tyler Henderson combined for 37 kills and to lead The University of Tulsa, which had four players with double-figure kills, but it was not enough as the Hurricane fell, 3-2 (23-25, 25-12, 25-23, 21-25, 13-15), at UTEP Sunday afternoon at Memorial Gym.

Eichler posted 18 kills, hit .325 and recorded her fifth double-double, adding 18 digs to her totals, and also had three blocks. Henderson tallied 19 kills and added a pair of blocks. Middle blockers Julia Kenealy and Hannah Stout each had four blocks - one solo and three assists for Stout and four assists for Kenealy. Kenealy had 10 kills and hit .364, while Stout had 11 kills and hit a .357 attack percentage.

Tulsa (10-5, 0-2 C-USA) hit .217 as a team (69-29-184) with 69 kills, 59 assists, 75 digs and eight blocks. Freshman Jessica Adams tallied 22 digs, and sophomore Rachel Vukson had 31 assists, while freshman Jordan Clampitt contributed 23 assists. UTEP (9-7, 2-1 C-USA) hit .216 in the match (61-25-167) with 61 kills, 55 assists, 75 digs and 14 blocks.

Tulsa took the first lead of the match with a UTEP attack error and block by Kenealy and Eichler. UTEP moved ahead, 8-6, and the Hurricane came back to take a 10-9 lead. After some back-and-forth play with TU unable to do anymore than tie the score, the Miners took the lead for good at 17-16, and went on to win the set, 25-23

Tulsa came back and dominated the second set, after trailing early, 3-1. Then the Golden Hurricane put together a stretch where it outscored UTEP 11-3 and took a 12-6 lead. TU held on to a six point lead, and with the score, 18-12, the Hurricane scored the next seven in a row to win, 25-12. The seven-point run was fueled by two kills each by Stout and Vukson, and one apiece by Henderson and freshman Dianna Craine.

The Golden Hurricane won the third set as well, and had to come from behind to do it. TU trailed most of the way through the set, and was down five, at 22-17 with its back against the wall, before storming back with five points in a row and eight of nine to win the set, 25-23.

In the final two frames, Tulsa was close but could not do enough to win. In set four, the score was knotted at 14-all when UTEP moved to a three-point lead that grew to five at 22-17. The Hurricane was not able to make the comeback again, and dropped the set, 25-21. TU had a lead in the fifth set at 8-7, forcing the side change, but only managed five more points, as UTEP took the deciding set, 15-13.

TU opens its home C-USA slate Friday when it plays host to Marshall at 7 p.m., and Saturday, when it takes on East Carolina at 7 p.m. Admission to all home matches is free.

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