By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MARTIN, Tenn. – Continuing the incredible start to her athletic career at Tennessee Tech University, Jordan Karlen was recognized for her prowess on the sand Wednesday evening at the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball postseason awards banquet.
The Golden Eagle freshman took home a place on the OVC All-Freshman Team, as voted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors, adding to an already quickly growing trophy case. During the volleyball campaign in the fall, Karlen became the first player league history to be named both the OVC Setter of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the same season, locking down All-OVC First Team honors as well. With Wednesday's honor, she became the first Golden Eagle beach volleyball student-athlete to capture postseason honors from the OVC.
During Tech's inaugural beach volleyball season, Karlen worked her way to a 7-9 overall record individually, including a 4-6 mark in league play. She finished 1-1 at the No. 1 position, 3-5 at the No. 2 slot, 2-3 when competing in the No. 3 combo, and 1-0 playing out of the No. 4 spot.
The freshman teamed up with Skylar Boom for a 3-4 overall mark and 3-3 look in league play, including a 1-1 record in the No. 1 duo slot and 2-3 in the No. 2 position. When competing with Morgan Gish, Karlen also put forth a 3-4 showing, including one win each at the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 spots.
"Jordan has definitely earned this spot on the All-Freshman Team and it is nice to see her honored by the OVC," Tech head coach Zach Weinberg expressed. "She has approached every day in the sand as a chance to get better at her craft and it has been so fun to watch her game evolve from a setter indoors to a comlpete beach volleyball player. Jordan is someone who is never complacent or satisfied and her ceiling is so high. We are incredibly proud of her and what a cool honor for her to be able to call herself the first postseason award winner in Tennessee Tech beach volleyball history."
The Golden Eagles will wrap up the 2023 campaign at their first-ever OVC Tournament, hosted on the campus of UT Martin, starting Thursday afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. CT dual against Lindenwood.
Photo by Emily Armstrong / Inset photo by Ryne Rickman, UTM Media Relations
