By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Though some may get lost in the pageantry that is Senior Night, the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles fought through the emotions to come through for a 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21) win over the visiting UT Martin Skyhawks.
Two seniors paved the way for the Golden Eagles. Middle blocker Madison Keyes was only set 13 times during the four-set match, but she made the most of those attempts. She put down eight of the 13, while committing no errors, for an impressive and match-high .615 hitting percentage. She added five digs and three blocks.
Prior to the match, senior libero Courtney Smith knew the numbers she would need to put up to hold her place as the leading dig-getter in the Ohio Valley Conference, and she stepped up to the challenge. The senior has anchored the backcourt all season, and Saturday night was no different. Smith complied a match-high 22 digs, including nine in the deciding set, to guide TTU.
Next season, Tech will have to replace Smith's defense, but with their efforts, sophomore Kennedy Wade and freshman Allison Morrett proved themselves, digging up attacks right alongside Smith on Saturday night. Wade added 10 digs and a service ace, while Morrett scooped up nine, adding a match-high four service aces.
Offensively, TTU received double-digit kills from both junior Cody Dodd and freshman Kelly Williams. Dodd put down a match-high 16 adding nine digs, and a block. Williams tallied 11, adding a block and a dig. Sophomore setter Sharon Anderson dished out 41 assists, adding 16 digs for her 12th double-double of the season.
UT Martin received 11 kills from senior Allie Whimpy, who also added 5 blocks. Her fellow senior, Emily Keaton added seven kills and 15 digs.
As a team, the Skyhawks out-blocked TTU, 11-5.
Along with Keyes and Smith, Tech honored seniors Ellen Conti and Allison May, as well as UT's two seniors.
With Tech's Saturday night win, they clinched fifth place in the Ohio Valley Conference, the highest seed since 2009 when Tech was also the 5th seed. This also marks the first time TTU has been in the OVC Tournament since 2010. TTU will face fourth-seed Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20. The tournament will be held on the campus of first-seed Murray State.
