CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Tennessee Tech volleyball team played its third five-set match in its last five matches on Saturday evening, and just like the previous two five-setters, the Golden Eagles were victorious as they defeated Southeast Missouri (22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 15-9).
Tech has now won three matches in a row and five of its last six to improve to 6-12 overall and 5-4 in the OVC. The Redhawks fall for the fourth straight match, and their record now stands at 6-12 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
For the second consecutive match, four Golden Eagles finished with double-figure kills. Junior Leah Meffert led the way with 21, and she was followed by senior Amanda Lindgren (14), senior Teresa Craig (12) and freshman Kelsey Gray (11). As a team, Tech totaled 70 kills compared to 63 for Southeast Missouri.
Junior Melanie Culp tied her career high with 59 assists on Saturday evening, and she also chipped in with nine digs and three kills.
Senior Katie Kenline posted a match-high 33 digs for the Golden Eagles, marking the 16th consecutive match that she has tallied 10-or-more digs. Meffert added 18 digs as she notched her second double-double in as many nights, while Craig and junior Laura Pierce both finished with 13 saves. Tech out-dug the Redhawks 98-92 as a team on Saturday night.
Gray led the team with six total blocks, while four Golden Eagles posted four. Junior Marie Peddicord (two solo, two assist), Meffert (one solo, three assist) and Lindgren (one solo, three assist) added four stuffs, and Craig and Culp both had one.
For the match, Tech hit .201 compared to the .164 clip that the Redhawks hit at. Both teams finished with three aces and SEMO had one more block than TTU (13-12).
The Golden Eagles return to action next weekend as they take on Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State at the Eblen Center. Game time against EKU is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, and Tech will wrap up the weekend against Morehead State at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
