COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Five Golden Eagles finished with eight-or-more kills on Friday evening as the Tennessee Tech volleyball team displayed its balance in a three-set victory (25-23, 25-17, 25-15) against the visiting Tennessee State Lady Tigers on Dig Pink Night.
With the victory, Tech improves to 10-14 overall and 9-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while TSU falls to 3-23 overall and 2-12 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles entered Friday's match tied for fourth in the conference.
Junior Leah Meffert accomplished something that has only been done eight times before in TTU volleyball history as she became a member of the 1,000/1,000 club. Meffert, who surpassed 1,000 career kills earlier this season at the Louisville Invitational, needed eight digs in Friday's match to break the 1,000 career digs milestone. Midway through the third set, the outside hitter tallied her eighth scoop to become the ninth Golden Eagle to have both 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.
"It feels really good to accomplish that," Meffert said. "There have been many good players here before me and to be in the same category as some of them is exiting."
Meffert finished the match with 11 kills and 10 digs to record her ninth consecutive double-double and 18th overall this season. The Louisville, Ky., native also hit .364 for the match.
"I'm not concerned about my personal statistics as long as we win - that's what is important," Meffert said. "Every game from now on is really important, and we know that we can't take anyone lightly."
Two Golden Eagles recorded hitting percentages above .400 has freshman Kelsey Gray (.500) finished with 10 kills on 18 attempts with just one error and junior Marie Peddicord tallied 11 kills on 23 attempts with zero errors.
Seniors Teresa Craig and Amanda Lindgren also got in the offensive act on Friday evening as Craig put down eight kills and Lindgren finished with nine. Both players also notched two blocks apiece, while Craig's 12 digs were the second most in the match.
Junior setter Melanie Culp set a personal record for assists in a three-set match as she finished with 43 helpers on the night. Culp also recorded an ace and had six digs.
Senior Katie Kenline extended her double-digit digs streak to 22 matches as she notched a match-high 19 saves. The libero paced the Golden Eagles who out-dug the Lady Tigers, 59-47.
For the match, Tech hit .330 as a team, including the second set when the Golden Eagles pounded 20 kills with just three errors for a .515 hitting percentage.
Tech will now set its sights on Saturday's Senior Day match against Austin Peay. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Eblen Center.
