By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team wrapped up the weekend at the East Carolina Invitational, falling to both Morgan State and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
For the second-straight day, the Golden Eagles (1-6) had a better outing in their second match of the day, despite the 3-1 loss to the UNCW Seahawks; 25-22, 18-25, 25-17, and 25-17.
The Seahawks, who are now 6-1, had not dropped a set through the whole tournament until they faced the Golden Eagles.
"I do not think the scores were depictive of the high-level of volleyball that we play," head coach Dave Zelenock said of his squad. "Wilmington is a very good team, and we kept right there with them and kept challenging them. It was a very fun match to watch."
Junior Cody Dodd, who recorded a career-best 18 kills against Norfolk State last night, matched that number with 18 kills against the Seahawks. She also added a career-best 20 digs, for her second double-double in as many days, adding three aces and two blocks. Dodd's performance over the weekend earned her a spot on the East Carolina Invitational All-Tournament team.
"Cody dominated all weekend," Zelenock said of the 6-foot-4 Cookeville native. "She was getting triple-blocks thrown at her and she was taking care of business. She was arguably the best player in the entire tournament with the way she performed this weekend."
Freshman Kellie Williams added 11 kills and sophomore Irem Sile put away a career-high nine kills against the Seahawks. Senior Madison Keyes added seven kills as well. Continuing on her strong weekend, freshman Jordan Wachowiak put away six kills on 14 swings with no errors for an impressive clip of .429. She also added a team-high three blocks, which put her at an impressive 19 blocks for the weekend. Senior libero Courtney Smith corralled a game-high 25 digs.
UNCW was led but Morgan Kline who put away 12 kills and added 14 digs, while Nicole Lott added 11 kills.
In the Golden Eagles first match of the day they faced the Morgan State Bears. The Bears got the upper hand, taking the set 3-0; 25-13, 26-24, and 25-15.
Dodd again led the Golden Eagles with 15 kills on a .324 hitting percentage, adding four blocks as well. Sophomore setter Sharon Anderson dished out 25 assists and added seven digs.
Wachowiak was a wall in the front, tallying a career-high eight blocks, including two solos. She also added four kills.
The Bears were very efficient, hitting at a clip of .322. They were led by Arianna Hayden who put away 11 kills. Carmen Fernadez collected 31 assists and a match-high 10 digs.
The Golden Eagles head to Lake Charles, La. for the McNeese State Invitational where they will face Alcorn State, host McNeese State, Louisiana-Monroe, and Prairie View A&M.
