TUSKEGEE, Ala. ^__ In the home opener of the 2023 season, Tuskegee volleyball dropped a 3-2 contest to Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) member Claflin University in five sets inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Arena on Monday evening.

Junior Moriah Seay led the Golden Tigers on both ends of the court, recording career-highs of 40 digs and 13 kills during the match in her second game. The newcomer also had five service aces on the day.
 
Freshman Rita Nua also had a strong day, finishing with a triple double (15 assists, 12 kills, 12 digs), while Trinity Winningham had 14 digs and eight kills in the matchup.

HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | After a tight start to the first set, Tuskegee gained a 9-6 edge after two Claflin errors and an ace from Chase Holloway. Leading 14-11 minutes later, the Golden Tigers carried that momentum to later go up to score five unanswered, before taking the opening set 25-22.

SET 2 | Claflin led for a majority of the second, taking an early 9-5 lead, before eventually stretching the score to 20-11 before taking tying the game with the 25-20 win in the set. 
 
SET 3 | The Lady Panthers carried the momentum into the third, leading from start to finish. Lead 7-6 in the set, Claflin scored five unanswered before pushing the lead to double figures at 19-9. Trailing 22-11, the Golden Tigers fought back, coming within a single point at 22-21, however could not complete the comeback, falling 25-22. 

SET 4 | Tuskegee started strong in the fourth set, leading early before finding the game tied at 9-9. Three combined errors from both sides gave TU a 11-9 lead, where they followed with five unanswered points to pull gain the 16-10 edge. The Golden Tigers remained in control throughout the remainder of the set, going up 24-16 before taking set with a final of 25-18.
 
SET 5 | Claflin took a 5-1 lead early in the fifth and final set, before a run from Tuskegee to pull within one at 8-7. From there, the Panthers made a final push for the win, scoring seven of the next nine points to take the 15-9 win.

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