By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MOREHEAD, Ky. – After finishing the regular season as strong as ever, Tennessee Tech beach volleyball's Madolyn Isringhausen and Bella Powell were rewarded for their hard work and play at the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball postseason awards banquet Wednesday evening.
Combining to make up Tech's No. 1 pairing in all but one dual on the year, the Golden Eagle duo became the first to garner OVC postseason honors in program history. The pairing of Isringhausen and Powell was named to the All-OVC Second Team, one year after Jordan Karlen took home individual accolades in the team's inaugural campaign with a spot on the OVC All-Freshman Team.
"We're so proud of Maddie and Bella for being the first pair in program history to make an All-OVC Team," Tech head coach Zach Weinberg expressed. "They have worked to improve their game and they continued leveling up all season long, and I'm glad the league recognizes how much they've improved and the impact they have on other teams."
During the 2024 season, Isringhausen and Powell teamed up to finish 9-10 together as dance partners, including an impressive 5-4 mark in OVC action. The Golden Eagle group competed exclusively together in the No. 1 slot, ending the year with huge momentum.
At the league's final weekend of competition in Martin, Tenn., the Tech combo bested the No. 1 teams of co-league champions UT Martin and Chattanooga, not to mention Eastern Illinois. On top of finishing the weekend 3-1, Isringhausen and Powell earned Tech's first-ever point against the Skyhawks in program history. They also bested the league's Pairing of the Year in the Mocs' Neva Clark (also the OVC Player of the Year for the second straight year) and Corina Vale.
The two Golden Eagle veterans earned OVC Pair of the Week back on Apr. 2 after finishing a perfect 2-0 against Morehead State, earning a pair of critical 2-1 wins.
"Winning in the 1's is hard, so the two of them finishing their regular season by winning six of their last eight matches is a testament to their capabilities and how much pressure they put on other teams with their skill and athleticism," Weinberg added. "The sky is the limit for the two of them as a pair and we couldn't be more excited that we get both of them back next year to continue growing their partnership. I'm looking forward to watching them compete in this year's OVC Tournament."
Tech will open the 2024 OVC Tournament in Morehead, Ky. on Thursday, squaring off with No. 4 seed and host Morehead State in a 9:00 a.m. CT dual.
Photo by Morehead State Media Relations
