By: Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The end of the regular season has come as the Tennessee Tech volleyball team (8-20, 6-9 OVC) travels to Martin, Tenn. for their last regular match of the season against UT-Martin (9-23, 5-10) at 7 p.m.
This will be the first time the two teams have faced this season, and could determine which team will see post-season tournament play. Southeast Missouri and the Golden Eagles are currently tied at seventh in the OVC with a 6-9-conference record, while the Skyhawks are right behind them both with a 5-10 conference record. After this weekend's matches two of these teams will move on, while one will fall just short of post-season play.
The last time UT-Martin and Tech faced each other last season, the Golden Eagles saw victory in a four-set match taking winning set scores of 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, and 25-21.
In this year's matchup, UT Martin will hold home court advantage. The Skyhawks hold a 4-3 home record, while Tech maintains a 2-8-road record.
The strength in UT Martin's lineup is seen in sophomore Lael Ceriani and junior Madison Wessling. Ceriani currently leads the Skyhawks with 315 kills, 99 digs, and 39 blocks while Wessling has posted 295 kills, 188 digs, and 34 blocks on the season. As a team, UT Martin holds a .171 hitting percentage, while averaging 11.44 kills, 14.39 digs, and 1.55 blocks per set.
Putting up big numbers on the Golden Eagle team is senior, Cody Dodd. Posting 449 kills (4.28 per set), 304 digs (2.90 per set), 62 blocks (0.59 per set), and 50 service aces (0.48 per set) on the season, Dodd is truly the center of the Tech team ranking at the top of the OVC and high in the NCAA national rankings. Teammates Kellie Williams and Sharon Anderson also contribute to a tough Golden Eagle squad. Williams has posted 269 kills and 40 blocks this season, while Anderson has boasted 928 assists and 24 service aces. As a team, Tech posts a .169 hitting percentage and averages 11.50 kills, 15.9s digs, and 1.72 blocks per set.
You can follow the Tennessee Tech volleyball team online on Facebook and on Twitter at @TNTechVball and @TTUGoldenEagles.
