By Nate Perry, TTU Sports Information 

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A new era of Tennessee Tech volleyball was unveiled to the public on Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the annual Purple and Gold intrasquad scrimmages inside the Hooper Eblen Center.

The coaching staff determined original scrimmage lineups during a "fantasy draft" on Wednesday, which then led to several players being shuffled between the two clubs so that different personnel combinations could be evaluated.

"It was fun to see different players working together and to get a look at what our strengths and weaknesses are when we have different groups out there," said Jeanette Waldo, Tech's first-year head coach. "A lot to be excited about, a lot of learning still to go, but overall, a good weekend."

Along with the spectators gathered in the Hoop, this was also the staff first's opportunity to see the team perform in a setting resembling a game day atmosphere.

"I think we got better at some things, and I think it pointed out what we really need to work on moving forward," Waldo said. "The good news is we have some more practices before we get out on the road, and I think we have a pretty good idea of who the six, seven or eight girls are who are going to carry us into our first match of the year."

The Golden Eagles will open their 2018 schedule on Friday in Macomb, Ill., where they will partake in the Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational hosted by Western Illinois. Tech will face off with Fairleigh Dickinson (11 a.m.) and Evansville (3 p.m.) in a double header on the first day of the tournament, before meeting Western Illinois at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Fans can follow TTU volleyball on the Tennessee Tech Women's Volleyball Facebook page, on Twitter (@TNTechVball), and on Instagram (tntechvball) for all the latest news and updates surrounding the program.