By Jocelyn VerVelde, Tennessee Tech Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – On Saturday afternoon, neither team could quite find a rhythm, but the Tennessee Tech volleyball team was able to outlast the Tennessee State Tigers, winning 3-1; 25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-17.
The Golden Eagles (8-14, 3-3) put away the Tigers in their most offensive set, tallying 16 kills as a team, while hitting a match-best .282. Freshman K'Vonna Johnson had five of her eight kills in the fourth and deciding set. Fellow freshmen Jordan Wachowiak and Kellie Williams and junior Cody Dodd each added three kills to close out the Tigers in four.
Williams led the Golden Eagles with 12 kills on the night, adding two digs and two blocks. Dodd finished with nine kills, adding eight digs, four blocks, and two service aces. Wachowiak led Tech in blocks, tallying six, while putting away a total of 8 kills.
Redshirt sophomore Alyssa Povey had five timely kills while adding three blocks as well. Sophomore setter Sharon Anderson dished out 38 assists while recording 10 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.
The Golden Eagles backcourt was covered tonight as Tech tallied 66 digs as a team, led by senior libero Courtney Smith who scooped up 21. Senior Allison May added a season-high nine digs, playing in just her third match back from injury of the season. Sophomore defensive specialist Kennedy Wade was a spark from the service line as she cranked out a career-high four service aces.
The Tennessee State Tigers (8-13, 2-4) were led by middle blocker Haley Hampton who put down a match-high 19 kills on an impressive .333 hitting percentage. Senior Naomi Wells recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.
The Tigers recorded 43 kills to Tech's 42, but efficiency was key as Tech hit a clip of .144 to TSU's .067.
The Golden Eagles will be back in action next Friday and Saturday as they head to Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. TTU will take on the MSU Eagles on Friday at 6 p.m. CT, and then Tech will face EKU on Saturday at 1 p.m.
