By Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's volleyball team has had one of the best seasons in over the last five years, and the play of two student-athletes was noticed by the Ohio Valley Conference coaches and sports information directors. Junior Cody Dodd and freshman Kellie Williams were honored by the OVC on Wednesday night at the OVC Tournament Banquet for their 2014 season accomplishments.
The 6-foot-4 opposite hitter earned a place on the 2014 All-Ohio Valley Conference team following an impressive season where she finished the regular season with 408 kills, 306 digs, 85 blocks, and 46 aces. She led the conference in points (4.36) and service ace (.40), and was second in kills (3.58) in overall play. In conference play only, she finished first in aces (0.44), and in second place in points (4.75) and kills (3.97) to the 2014 Player of the Year Scottie Ingram of Murray State. Dodd is the first player to earn the honor of All-OVC since Kelsey Grey earned the honor following the 2012 season.
Freshman Kellie Williams made an immediate impact this season, and people noticed. The six-foot outside hitter put down 320 kill this season, adding 73 digs and 40 blocks. Her 2.83 kills per set were second on the team to Dodd. For her efforts this season, Williams earned a spot on the 2014 All-Newcomer Team. She is the first to earn the honor since the 2011 season when teammate Ellen Conti earned it.
Tech 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 night. The tournament will be held on the campus of first-seed Murray State.
2014 All-Ohio Valley Conference Team
Scottie Ingram, Murray State
Cody Dodd, Tennessee Tech
Alexis Plagens, Eastern Kentucky
Sam Bedard, Murray State
Arianna Person, Belmont
Jada Stotts, Austin Peay
Kristen Torre, SIUE
Taylor Masterson, Southeast Missouri
Alex Martin, Belmont
Taylor Olden, Murray State
Marah Bradbuy, Eastern Illinois*
Dena Ott, Eastern Kentucky
Abby Saalfrank, Eastern Illinois
Nicole Merget, Jacksonville State
* - All-OVC selection in 2013
All-Newcomer
Arianna Person, Belmont
Emma Price, Belmont
Allyson Zuhlke, Jacksonville State
Allie Hueston, Eastern Illinois
Kellie Williams, Tennessee Tech
Nzingha Clarke, Southeast Missouri
Ashley Slay, Austin Peay
OVC Player of the Year: Scotie Ingram, Murray State
OVC Freshman of the Year: Arianna Person, Belmont
OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Dena Ott, Eastern Kentucky
OVC Coach of the Year: David Schwepker, Murray State
