By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech's Madolyn Isringhausen and Bella Powell made program history Tuesday afternoon, earning Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball Pair of the Week honors for the first-ever weekly honor from the league for the Golden Eagles.
The Tech two-step combined at the No. 1 position for a perfect, 2-0 week on the sand, topping the No. 1 pairing of Morehead State twice to help the purple and gold to a 1-1 split over the weekend. Both matches ended in thrilling fashion, with the duo's display of grittiness paying off in both affairs.
On Friday, Isringhausen and Powell teamed up to pull off a 2-1, comeback victory at the top of the order, playing a pivotal role in Tech's own rally for a 3-2 win. After falling in the opening set, 21-18, the combo rebounded to edge its Morehead counterpart 22-20 to even the dance. They rolled in the decisive third frame, tilting the scoreboard in their favor, 15-8.
The pair followed it up with another special comeback decision on Saturday, this time avenging a 21-16 loss in the first set with a 21-15 romp in set two. It was all Isringhausen and Powell in the deciding set, with the Golden Eagle squad rolling to a 15-3 blowout win.
"For Maddie and Bella to be able to say that they were the first ever OVC Pair of the Week in Tech Beach history is such a neat accomplishment," Tech head coach Zach Weinberg expressed, "and they absolutely earned it this week. Their games complement each other so well and their athleticism is a serious weapon. The dominant display they had in both third sets this weekend to pick up match wins is a testament to the work they've done and what they are capable of as a duo. I'm very proud of them and look forward to watching them continue to improve together."
Next up for the Golden Eagles are a pair of duals in Clarksville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Apr. 9. Tech will take on Jacksonville State in a 12:30 p.m. CT tilt before squaring off with host Austin Peay in a 3:00 p.m. affair.
Photo by Jim Dillon
