By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech beach volleyball team officially kicks off the 2025 campaign with a trip north for the Cincy Clash on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22. Hosted by Eastern Kentucky, the event will be held at the Grand Sands facility in Loveland, Ohio.
The weekend will consist of two matches on each day, starting with a 9:00 a.m. CT affair with in-state rival Austin Peay. Friday's action concludes for the Cookeville crew with a 3:00 p.m. tilt against Morehead State. Saturday's action kicks off for Tech at 11:00 a.m. against Liberty before wrapping up with a 3:00 p.m. match-up against Eastern Kentucky.
Leading the purple and gold into its third season as a program is senior Bella Powell, who was selected as Tech's Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Player to Watch this year after earning a spot on the All-OVC Second Team last season. The veteran tallied nine wins while competing in the No. 1 dual position with Maddie Isringhausen.
Fellow seniors Brooke Amann and Aleeya Jones both return with six wins under their belts from the 2024 campaign while MK Roberts brings in five wins from a season ago to the mix. Jazmine Yamilkoski locked down seven victories during the 2024 campaign, competing in the No. 4 and 5 positions.
Competing on the sand for the first time since her sensational rookie campaign in 2023, redshirt sophomore Jordan Karlen will look to build off the success that saw her earn a spot on the 2023 OVC All-Freshman Team.
CINCY CLASH SCHEDULE:
Friday, Feb. 21 | 9:00 a.m. CT | vs. Austin Peay
Friday, Feb. 21 | 3:00 p.m. CT | vs. Morehead State
Saturday, Feb. 22 | 11:00 a.m. CT | vs. Liberty
Saturday, Feb. 22 | 3:00 p.m. CT | vs. Eastern Kentucky
GOLDEN EAGLE LINEUP:
1 - Brooke Amann / Bella Powell
2 - Jordan Karlen / Alayna Pierce
3 - Aleeya Jones / MK Roberts
4 - Bella Lineberger / Elena Wallace
5 - Jazmine Yamilkoski / Ava Schubert
ALT 1 - McKenna Young / Emma Pabon
ALT 2 - Ayanna Rodgers / Katie Green
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH JEANNETTE PHILLIPS: "We are so excited to compete right away and see how we stack up against other competition. Although the weather isn't very 'beachy' at the moment in Cookeville, this event allows us to get our feet in the sand again. With our beach squad consisting of our entire indoor roster, we look forward to these early contests to stretch us as we face off with players that train in the sand year-round."
Photo by Brad Laux
