By: Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After a quick break off of a Tuesday match, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team (3-13, 1-2 OVC) returns to the Eblen Center on Saturday as they host conference opponent Southeast Missouri (SEMO) in a 2 p.m. contest.
The Redhawks come to Cookeville with a 5-11 overall record, including a 1-2 OVC mark. So far, SEMO has taken its one conference win over Austin Peay (winning 3-1), and has fallen to Murray State and UT-Martin (losing both 3-0). Head coach Julie Yankus stands at the helm of the Redhawk program, returning for her fifth season this year. Last year, Yankus led SEMO to an 11-20, 7-9 OVC showing. Returning to the Redhawks this season is sophomore, Nzingha Clarke. Clarke currently leads SEMO in kills (165), hitting percentage (.327), blocks (50) and points (196.5). Another key player in the Redhawk lineup is fellow sophomore Krissa Gearring. Thus far, Gearring has put up 158 kills, 179 digs, 16 blocks, and 174.5 points.
The Golden Eagles head into their weekend match after falling to conference-opponent Jacksonville State 3-1 on Tuesday. Tech previously took their first OVC win over Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (3-2) on Sept. 26, and their only other conference loss against Eastern Illinois (3-0) on Sept. 25. Cody Dodd continues to stand at the top of the Tech volleyball program. Currently totaling 234 kills this season, Dodd is only 20 kills away from hitting a career total 1,000 kills. Dodd's 4.15 kills per set rank her 35th best in NCAA DI volleyball and puts her at the top of the Golden Eagle lineup. So far, Dodd has also posted 148 digs, 34 blocks, 22 service aces, and 275 points. Another key player on the Tech team is setter, Sharon Anderson. This season, Anderson has totaled 468 assists (9 per set), 146 digs, 14 service aces, and 18 kills. Also, Anderson is 54 assists away from hitting a career total 2,000 assists.
In the Redhawks last meeting with the Golden Eagles last season, Tech came up victorious over SEMO winning the match 3-0, with winning set scores of 25-16, 25-13, and 25-15.
Admission to all Golden Eagle regular season matches are free of charge.
