By: Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—It's going to be a busy Halloween weekend for the Tennessee Tech volleyball team (5-18, 3-7 OVC) as they host conference-opponents Austin Peay (6-19, 1-9 OVC) and Murray State (19-2, 9-1 OVC) on Friday-Saturday.
Austin Peay Governors
The Governors come to Cookeville after falling to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) and Eastern Illinois last weekend by a 3-1 margin. This season, Austin Peay hasn't had much success on the road currently holding a 0-11 away record. Leading the way for the Governors is sophomore, Ashley Slay. Slay has totaled 221 kills (2.63 per set), 54 digs, and 66 blocks on the season. Another player to watch on the Austin Peay squad is senior Samantha Strother who has put up 195 kills (2.19 per set), 199 digs, and 22 service aces so far this year. As a team, the Racers hit at a .157 and average 11.29 kills, 14.67 digs, and 1.71 blocks per set. Head coach Taylor Mott, who returns to the helm of the Austin Peay team for her third season, leads the Governors.
Murray State Racers
The Racers will serve as a viable opponent for the Golden Eagles this weekend. Murray State stands at the top of the conference with a 9-1 OVC record so far, and has accumulated a 7-2-road match mark. The Racers suffered their first loss of their conference season last weekend to Eastern Illinois where they were edged 3-2, snapping their 16-game winning streak. Junior, Scottie Ingram serves as a pivotal player in the Murray State lineup. So far, Ingram has gathered 254 kills (3.68 per set). 215 digs (3.12 per set), 30 service aces (0.28 per set), and 21 blocks (0.30 per set) on the season. Also lending a hand in the Racers success is junior, Kristen Besselsen. Besselsen has put up 235 kills (3.36 per set), 192 digs, 26 service aces, and 23 blocks this year. As a team, Murray State averages a .226 hitting percentage and 14.5 kills, 16.9 digs, and 1.30 blocks per set. David Schwepker stands at the head of the Racer program, entering his 18th season this year.
Golden Eagles
The Tech volleyball team returns home after a weekend on the road taking on Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky, where they were defeated by a 3-1 margin in each of the matches. The Golden Eagles currently hold a 3-4 record at home, while maintaining an overall 3-7-conference record. Senior, Cody Dodd continues to lead Tech each week and has totaled 349 kills (4.15 per set), 224 digs (2.67 per set), 47 blocks (0.56 per set) and 35 service aces (0.42 per set) this season. As a team, the Golden Eagles hit a .157 and average 11.46 kills, 15.76 digs, and 1.67 blocks per set.
Not only will this weekend serve as great competition for the Tech volleyball team, but it will also be filled with fun events for the Golden Eagle fans to compete in. Head coach Dave Zelenock and the Tech team is offering Tennessee Tech students the chance to win a PlayStation 4™ on Friday when the Golden Eagles compete against Austin Peay. In order to qualify all you have to do is present your Tech student ID when you sign up at the marketing table in the main lobby of the Hooper Eblen Center before the start of the match. Two lucky contestants will be selected and announced after the first set to then compete in a racing game during the second and third sets. The individual who completes the course with the fastest time will take home the PS4.
Then on Saturday when the Golden Eagles host Murray State, Tech students are invited to dress up in their best Halloween costumes and every student that is dressed up will receive a free voucher for a Wendy's Frosty.
Match play will get underway this weekend on Friday at 7 p.m. when the Golden Eagles compete against Austin Peay, and will then continue on Saturday at 4 p.m. when Tech faces Murray State.
Admission is free to all regular season volleyball matches. You can also follow the Tennessee Tech volleyball team on Facebook or on Twitter at @TNTechVball.
