By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was a tough night offensively for the Tennessee Tech volleyball team, as the Golden Eagles suffered their first Ohio Valley Conference loss of the season Thursday evening at Tennessee State.
The purple and gold struggled with consistency at Kean Hall in Nashville, recording 24 attack errors on the night with the Tiger defense recording 10 blocks. TSU produced at a solid clip, hitting .247 around seven Tech blocks.
The two sides battled back-and-forth early in the opening set, working an 8-8 tie. Tennessee State turned in a 10-1 run, backed by five kills and four Tech attack errors. The Tigers advanced to as much as a 20-11 advantage before the Golden Eagles fought back.
Tech closed the gap down the stretch, putting forth nine kills to pull within a single point before the home team finally ended it for a 25-23 win. The Cookeville crew tallied 15 kills in the set, but suffered seven miscues.
In set two, the Tigers controlled things all the way through, taking a six-point lead early and never relenting. TSU went on to take the game 25-16 while holding the Golden Eagles to eight kills and nine attack errors.
The purple and gold made a push in set three, striking back after a 9-9 tie took favor of the Tigers. TSU jumped out to as much as a 22-16 lead, but the Golden Eagles inched closer. Tech made it a 23-21 affair late, but Tennessee State answered with a 2-1 run to complete the 25-22 win.
Right side Morgan Gish put together a solid night for the Golden Eagles, leading the team with 10 kills and a .318 attack percentage. Outside Madolyn Isringhausen registered eight terminations and a pair of blocks while middle Skylar Boom led the way with four total blocks.
Rookie setter Jordan Karlen tallied team-highs of 31 assists and 13 digs for a double-double, chipping in three block assists. Libero McKenna Young piled up nine digs in the match.
TSU's Johanna Alcantara led the home team's effort with 18 kills while hitting .452.
The Golden Eagles will take on the Tigers in a rematch on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Nashville.
File photo by Emily Armstrong