By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—Intensity was the theme of the Tennessee Tech volleyball (5-9, 1-0 OVC) match versus conference opponent Eastern Kentucky (5-8, 0-1 OVC) on Friday night in the Hooper Eblen Center. The Golden Eagles topped the Colonels in four sets (3-1) taking winning set scores of 25-20, 24-26, 25-22, and 25-23 to open conference play with a W.

"It's huge," head coach Dave Zelenock remarked on opening OVC play with a win. "Not only did it help us get out of that funk we were in for awhile, but to be 1-0 in the OVC is a great feeling. I think everyone saw how tough it is to win a match in the OVC tonight because the teams are so evenly matched. Every win really counts and this was huge for us."

"It feels awesome," Golden Ealge Sheleane Little said. "We had a tough preseason and have been working hard to get better. I think all of us just came together tonight and connected as a team and really gave it our all."

In set one, Tech jumped out to the early three-point lead at 10-7 with a kill from sophomore Shaneice James. The Golden Eagles continued to hold the advantage extending their lead to 16-12 over the Colonels with a Shealene Little kill. From there, the Purple and Gold squad continued to maintain their buffer from Eastern Kentucky at 22-18 with another kill from Little. Tech then quickly closed out a first set victory over the Colonels 25-20 taking advantage of an EKU attack error, and out hitting the Colonels .326 to .196.

"We changed gears with our offense a lot," Zelenock continued. "Our first two sets we were really heavy on the outsides. Even in system we set them a lot. But then in the final two sets we set our middles and rights a little more in system and kept EKU's defense on their toes."

It was a tight second set, with a tie of 8-8 kicking things off between the Golden Eagles and Colonels. Eastern Kentucky took a slight three-point lead at 13-10 with a kill by Ciera Koons. However, Tech continued to battle with the Colonels and came back to tie the set up at 17-17 off of an EKU attack error. The Golden Eagles and EKU then found themselves trapped in a seesaw affair, battling for control. Heading into the latter portion of the set, the Colonels pulled ahead 25-24 with a kill by Celina Sanks before sneaking out a second set victory 26-24 over Tech due to a Golden Eagle attack error.

A tie of 6-6 opened up set three between Tech and Eastern Kentucky, however, the Golden Eagles went on to pull ahead by three points (12-9) with a kill from junior K'Vonna Johnson. The Colonels held a tight set, pulling within two points of Tech at 14-12 with a kill from Knutson. However, the Purple and Gold team held strong and extended their lead to five points (19-14) taking advantage of an EKU attack error. From there, the Golden Eagles went on to seal a third set victory 25-22 over the Colonels.

Into the fifth set, the energy on the court was at a high as both teams were ready to fight. Eastern Kentucky started off with the 11-6 lead over Tech, and then extended their lead to 15-11 with a kill by Nikki Drost. However, just as things seemed to be falling into place for the Colonels, the Golden Eagles refused to relent and tied the set at 20-20. Tech and EKU once again battled back and forth for control of the match, holding ties up to 23-23. Then, a Colonel attack error followed by a Rachel Thomas kill concluded a fifth set and match victory 25-23 over Eastern Kentucky.

Culver, Ore., native Little led the Golden Eagles with a career-high 17 kills in the match. Senior setter Sharon Anderson notched her sixth double-double of the season with her 49 assists and 28 digs in the match, while also marking a career-high in digs for the Burr Ridge, Ill., native.

"28 digs is a lot for anyone, let alone a setter," Zelenock remarked on Sharon Anderson. "Setters aren't really known for playing defense, but she did a good job moving the ball around tonight; finding hitters, getting the one-on-ones, and just finding openings. Overall, I thought she set a really nice match."

Rachel Woody led Eastern Kentucky with 14 kills and 19 digs in the match, while teammate Nikki Drost tallied 11 kills and 17 digs.

As a team, Tech hit .188 to Eastern Kentucky's .125. The Golden Eagles out dug the Colonels 97-93 and totaled 58 assists to EKU's 52.

"We are going to focus on us tomorrow," Zelenock continued. "Morehead has been running a lot of different lineups and they have so many big physical kids. It's really hard to scout them, so we are just going to play our side of the ball and adjust and use that information as we figure it out."

Tech returns to action on Saturday when the Golden Eagles host Morehead State in a 4 p.m. contest at the Hooper Eblen Center.

Photo by Jim Dillon