By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team returns to Cookeville to host Eastern Illinois this weekend, welcoming the Panthers to the Hooper Eblen Center for a pair of Ohio Valley Conference matches.
Friday evening's match-up will feature a 6:00 p.m. CT start while the second meeting of the weekend will commence at 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening following the Tech football game against Southeast Missouri. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dylan Vazzano on the call.
All fans are encouraged to wear pink during the weekend for Breast Cancer Awareness. The first 100 fans at Saturday's match will receive free popcorn. Admission to all Tech volleyball home matches is free of charge.
THE MATCHUPS
Friday, October 20 – vs. Eastern Illinois, 6:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, October 21 – vs. Eastern Illinois, 7:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
History vs. Eastern Illinois
The Panthers hold a 26-24 lead in the all-time series between the two programs, but the Golden Eagles boast a 13-11 edge when competing in Cookeville. Tech has won each of the past six match-ups between the two OVC rivals, including victories of 3-1 and 3-2 in Charleston last season.
Preseason Honors
A trio of Golden Eagles picked up Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, including sophomore setter Jordan Karlen, junior outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen, and graduate middle blocker Skylar Boom, the most Tech players earning preseason recognition since 2008.
Consistent Attack
Now in her third season as the top offensive weapon for the Golden Eagles, Isringhausen has continued to show the consistency that earned her All-OVC Second Team honors in 2021 and First Team recognition last season. The junior outside currently ranks tied for fifth in the OVC in service aces with 0.39 per set, sixth in points per set with a mark of 3.88, and sixth with 3.24 kills per set. Isringhausen sits just 14 kills from 1,000 for her career and eight aces away from joining the top-10 career list in Golden Eagle history.
Here Comes the Boom
Boom has established herself as one of the top middles in program history, recently cracking the program's top-10 list for career solo blocks. The graduate currently ranks 7th in Tech history in total blocks and 10th in solo rejections. Following last week's trio of matches, the Louisville native took home her first career OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors after averaging 1.73 blocks per set and totaling 19 overall.
Setting the Table
Sophomore Jordan Karlen ranks third in the league in assists per set on the season, averaging 9.05 per game. The reigning OVC Setter of the Year turned in 97 helpers with 28 digs in Tech's three matches last week.
Finding Her Form
Rookie right side Ava Schubert currently ranks second among the Golden Eagles in kills, tallying 160 through 76 sets of action this season. The freshman is averaging 2.11 per set while also totaling 36 total blocks as well.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles embark on a four-match road swing, starting with its first OVC road trip to Macomb, Ill. for a pair of tilts at Western Illinois. Tech will square off with the Leathernecks in a 6:00 p.m. match on Thursday, Oct. 26 and again on Friday, Oct. 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Photo by Jim Dillon
