MARTIN, Tenn. - One day after having its five-game winning streak snapped, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team may have started another. The Golden Eagles topped UT Martin on Saturday afternoon, 3-1 (25-18, 25-27, 25-21, 25-22), in a closely contested four-set match at Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
Tech used an efficient and balanced offense that hit .238 as a team to improve to 9-13 overall and 8-5 in OVC play.
Senior Katie Kenline led the TTU defense that out-dug the Skyhawks, 72-57, in the match. The libero finished with a match-high 26 digs for an average of 6.50 digs per set. Other Golden Eagles with double-digit saves included juniors Leah Meffert (16) and Melanie Culp (10).
Tech held a narrow 7.0-6.0 advantage in blocks as four players had two blocks, three of whom had a solo stuff.
Errors hurt UT Martin all match as the Skyhawks finished with 11 service errors and 27 attack errors compared to six service errors and 20 attack errors for Tech.
Three Golden Eagles finished with double-digit kills as Meffert (15), senior Amanda Lindgren (13) and junior Marie Peddicord (10) combined for 38 of TTU's 55 kills. Senior Teresa Craig finished with nine kills and a match-high .421 hitting percentage.
With her effort, Lindgren moved into fourth place in career kills at Tech. The outside hitter has accumulated 1,359 kills and needs 29 to pass Maggie Stern for third place on the all-time list.
Culp tallied 37 assists to lead the team as she also recorded her 10th double-double of the season. Meffert also finished with a double-double - her 16th of the season - marking the fifth match in a row that the pair has accomplished the feat.
Tech now looks forward to an OVC matchup against first-place Jacksonville State on Friday, October 30. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
