COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team was bested by an offensive-minded Eastern Kentucky on Friday, losing 3-1; 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-11.
In three of the four sets, the Colonels' offensive productivity far outweighed that of the Golden Eagles. EKU (17-9, 7-2) opened the match putting away 14 kills, while committing just three errors, whereas TTU put away 12, but committed nine errors.
In the second set, Tech (10-15, 5-4) came out swinging, as Junior Cody Dodd led the way by putting down five kills of the team's 13. The Golden Eagles were able to hold EKU to a .000 hitting percentage as the Colonels committed 10 hitting errors, and TTU tallied three of their five blocks in the second set.
Over the next two sets, EKU was able to take its offensive game to the next level, putting away 16 kills on a .350 hitting clip, and 13 kills on a mark of .233, as they sealed the match.
In the third set, the Golden Eagles put together its most efficient set, tallying 14 kills on a clip of .205, however it was not enough to top the Colonels' .350.
Dodd led the match with 16 kills, adding 15 digs, three blocks, and two aces. She was joined by freshman Kellie Williams, who continued her effective play. The Charlotte, N.C. native put down 13 kills while committing just three errors. Sophomore Sharon Anderson dished out 35 assists, adding nine digs, and two kills.
Defensively, Tech's defensive specialists held down the backline. Leading the way was senior libero Courtney Smith who chased down 29 digs, while freshman Allison Morrett added a season-high 14 digs. Sophomore Kennedy Wade added 10 digs and an ace.
EKU was led by middle blocker Rachel Vick who registered 15 kills while committing just one hitting error for a match-high clip of .368. Outside hitters Ally Peters and Alexis Plagens both put away 12 kills and two service aces.
Abbey Cvelbar and Johanna Boyer split the setting duties in the match. Cvelbar led the way with 24 assists and added 12 digs. Boyer dished out 19 assists, adding eight kills, and five digs. Libero Dena Ott tallied 33 digs for the Colonels.
Tech is back at home Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. as they take on Morehead State (1-22, 1-8) in the Hooper Eblen Center. The Eagles will come into Cookeville after winning their first match of the season over Jacksonville State Friday night, 3-2; 21-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23, 25-13.
