COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's volleyball hits the road for their final non-conference match of the season as they head to Bowling Green, Ky., to face former Ohio Valley Conference foe, Western Kentucky (11-4) in a 7 p.m. CT showdown on Tuesday night.
Western Kentucky, who is receiving votes in the national poll, is currently on a two-game losing streak, dropping matches to #25 Michigan State and LIU Brooklyn. The Hilltoppers have faced two other OVC opponents this season, topping both of them. WKU swept Belmont in a non-conference mid-week game, while taking down Austin Peay 3-1 in the Hilltopper's home tournament.
The Hilltoppers, who are currently 4-0 at home, have four different student-athletes with two or more kills per set, led by freshman outside Alyssa Cavanaugh, who is averaging 2.92 kills per set. As a team, WKU is hitting a blistering .262 while putting away 13.16 kills per set.
The Golden Eagles (5-10) are coming off of a 2-2 weekend at the Spartanburg Courtyard Classic hosted by Wofford. TTU lost to host Wofford and USC Upstate, while besting N.C. A&T and eventual tournament champions Gardner-Webb.
Freshman Kellie Williams led the way offensively, leading Tech in kills in three of their four matches this weekend, putting away double digit kills in three as well. In back-to-back games on Saturday, Williams recorded career-bests. Against USC Upstate, Williams put away a then career-best 15 kills. She topped herself later that afternoon as she put down 21 kills while tallying two blocks as the Golden Eagles routed the eventual tournament champions Gardner-Webb. She also recorded her first double-double of the season as she put away 15 kills against N.C. A&T while adding 15 digs.
Senior Courtney Smith wrangled in an impressive 96 digs over the weekend, recording double-digit digs in all four matches. She also added five service aces and 16 assists. For her impressive digging effort and serve receive, Smith was named to the Spartanburg Courtyard Classic All-Tournament Team.
