By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team kicks off its home-opener Sunday, playing host to Eastern Illinois in a doubleheader in the Hooper Eblen Center.
The first contest is set for an 11:00 a.m. CT start while match two will commence at 6:00 p.m. Due to impending inclement weather in the Cookeville and Charleston, Ill. areas, Monday's originally scheduled match between the Golden Eagles and Panthers was moved up one day earlier to create the doubleheader. The move was made to help assist with visiting travel amid the winter storms expected throughout the middle parts of the United States.
THE MATCHUPS
Sunday, February 14 – vs. Eastern Illinois, 11 a.m. | Live Video | Live Stats
Sunday, February 14 – vs. Eastern Illinois, 6 p.m. | Live Video | Live Stats
TEAM NOTES
Tech enters its home-opening weekend following two matches at in-state rival Austin Peay to open the 2020-21 season last week. The Govs claimed victory in both contests against the Golden Eagles by scores of 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-20) and 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-22).
Sophomore Skylar Boom put together a strong showing to start the campaign, registering a team-high 17 kills with just a single attack error in the two matches in Clarksville, Tenn. The middle blocker hit .485 (ranked second in the OVC) while also tallying team-highs of five total blocks, four solo blocks and 21.5 points.
Preseason All-OVC selection Ali Verzani also racked up double-figure kill numbers, accounting for 15 in the opening weekend. She added 15 kills and 19.5 points to rank second on the Golden Eagle squad in both categories.
Starting at libero, rookie McKenna Young enjoyed some early success to kick off her collegiate career, leading the purple and gold with 32 digs and three service aces. Her 5.33 digs per set ranks her third in the league. Junior setter Ashley Hand totaled 55 assists in Tech's six sets, averaging 9.17 per set.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
(2020-21 record: 0-2, 0-2 OVC | Series Record: 18-26 | H: 9-11 | A: 7-13 | N: 2-2)
Eastern Illinois squared off with Morehead State to open its 2020-21 campaign last weekend, falling to the Eagles twice in Charleston, Ill. The Panthers dropped the first match, 3-1, on Sunday and were dealt a 3-0 loss on Monday.
In last week's first tilt with Morehead State, the Panthers claimed the second set with a 25-18 advantage. The Eagles cruised to victories in the other three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-16.
Senior Laurel Bailey represents the top returner for EIU from a season ago, having finished first on the team in service aces, second in digs, second in points and third in kills. Through the team's two matches this year, the outside hitter once again paces her squad, racking up team-highs of 26 kills, nine total blocks and 30.5 points.
Also posting double-figure kill totals this season for the Panthers is Ireland Hieb, a sophomore outside hitter with 11 kills, 11 digs and 17.5 points. She also leads the team with six service aces.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will remain in Cookeville for their longest homestand of the season. Tech will host Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT and again on Monday, Feb. 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Photo by Robert Smith, APSU Athletics
