COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Head Coach Kim Rosamond understands that championship teams consistently win the "war in the paint and on the boards", and that is why Tech's latest signee is a big addition in many ways.
Rosamond announced on Wednesday the signing of 6-3 post player Olivia Koontz from Signal Mountain High School (Signal Mountain, Tenn.). The heavily-recruited Koontz will bring both great defensive skills and a tremendous scoring potential to a team that places a high emphasis on attacking opponents from the inside-out.
"I really liked the all-around feel of Tech," Koontz said. "Everyone was very genuine and it felt like the type of place and people that would make a great home away from home. I love Tech because their culture is so genuine, and they pride themselves on hard work and family"
The in-state talent has put together impressive stats during her tenure, collecting 1,592 points, 840 rebounds and 215 blocks through her junior campaign. Koontz has helped Signal Mountain and Head Coach Kendra Bell to 67 wins and a 39-2 regular-season record against District 6-AA competition over the last 3 seasons.
Koontz finished her junior campaign averaging 17 ppg, 8 rpg and 2.2 blocks per game en route to leading her team to a 25-6 record. She has already made her mark on the Signal Mountain record books as she heads into her senior season as the all-time leader in single-season blocks (68), single-season rebounds (267), single-game rebounds (17), as well as the Lady Eagles' all-time leading rebounder and shot blocker.
"Strong post play has always been a staple here at Tennessee Tech, especially those teams that left banners hanging in Hooper Eblen," said Tech head coach Kim Rosamond. "Olivia Koontz is an incredibly important piece to our future roster. She is a strong paint presence that brings size and versatility on both ends of the floor. She can score with her back to the basket, can stretch the floor with her range and is a dominant force on the boards. I love her shot-blocking ability and the ways she can impact the game on the defensive end."
"Olivia has an extremely high work ethic, solid basketball IQ, and is a tremendous teammate. From the way she excels in the classroom and in the community, she will be a perfect fit in our culture. She is a servant leader and values setting a positive example on and off the court."
A varsity starter since her eighth-grade season, Koontz has helped guide Signal Mountain to four District 6-AA regular-season titles and three district tournament crowns. She earned the team's Most Valuable Player award as a freshman, while earning three All-District 6-AA honors and two all-Region 3-AA nods. In addition to a Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State selection following the 2019-20 season, she was also named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press' Best of Preps (BOP) team three times, BOP all-tournament as a sophomore and BOP Most Valuable Player as a junior.
Koontz also played travel basketball for Coach Brent Stallings with the TN Flight Select out of Knoxville, and was teammates with fellow 2020-21 signee Reagan Hurst.
The daughter of Curt and Trisha, Koontz is a two-sport athlete who participates in throwing events for track and field.
Tech will tip off the season by traveling to the Music City on Nov. 25 to face the Vanderbilt Commodores. Season tickets for the 2020-21 campaign are on sale. Seating will be limited in accordance with NCAA and Ohio Valley Conference guidelines. Order your tickets by calling (931) 372-3940, visiting TTUsports.com or visiting the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office.
