By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team and head coach Jeannette Phillips announced two late additions as a part of the 2022 signing class, finalizing the roster for the upcoming season.
"Our roster has finally rounded out, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait," Phillips said. "We have been climbing each season and accomplishing new goals, and we are definitely starting at a higher point this season than in seasons past. We are elated at the possibilities.
"We will be adding four brand new faces, two freshmen and two transfers with some competitive experience under their belts."
The newest members of the Golden Eagle roster, junior college transfers Brooke Amann and Aleeya Jones, are both expected to make immediate impacts after signing with the squad this summer.
Brooke Amann
Outside Hitter | 6'0 | Wonder Lake, Ill. (South Dakota State/Indian Hills CC) | VC United (Club)
Amann competed at Indian Hills Community College during the 2021 campaign, appearing in all 32 matches and 110 of 111 sets while ranking second on the team with 250 kills. She added 199 digs and 36 blocks while posting the second most service aces on the squad with 41. The Woodstock, Ill. native tallied double figures in kills 11 times during the season.
Prior to her arrival at IHCC, Amann competed at South Dakota State as a true freshman during the shortened spring season of 2020-21. Appearing in all 17 matches and 52 of the team's 57 sets, she totaled 11 kills and 90 digs.
"Brooke was such a necessity for us in so many ways this upcoming season," Phillips expressed. "As an outside attacker, we were in dire need of some depth in that position. Due to some COVID transitions, we were thin with our outside attackers all last season with only three, which makes it hard for those three to really get everything they need each day within the practice environment. We knew that we would need someone to come in that could not only provide some depth, but someone that could really upgrade us as a whole from that pin.
"Brooke has some collegiate playing experience under her belt, which should allow her transition to be a smooth one and be ready to hit the ground running. She brings some real firepower and we can't wait to start working with her. She will elevate everyone on that pin and create a fiercer competitive environment than we've had recently."
Aleeya Jones
Libero | 5'7 | Wiscasset, Maine (Iowa Western CC) | Maine Juniors (Club)
Jones spent the previous two seasons at Iowa Western Community College, competing for a Reivers squad that won back-to-back NJCAA national titles. After sitting out the 2020-21 campaign, she jumped right into action last fall, competing in 35 of the team's 37 matches and 121 of the 137 sets.
A jack-of-all-trades for IWCC, Jones accumulated 93 kills, a team-high 60 service aces, and 292 digs. She also chipped in 34 assists and six blocks, showing her range positionally as a true swiss-army knife.
"Aleeya was the magic piece we didn't even know we were missing," Phillips explained. "Immediately when we began talking to her, we knew that she would fit in right away. After watching her play, you would definitely think she is much bigger than she is. Although we anticipate her being 'ground bound' for us as a libero, she can also attack with the big girls. She is incredibly athletic, driven, and very competitive, and does it all with a smile on her face.
"She has spent some time in a very high-level gym and can say that she has been an active part in winning two national championships, which so few athletes can say. We are more than excited to see that championship mentality in our gym through Aleeya's eyes and we are looking forward to her gelling immediately with the rest of our players. With Aleeya so far from her home in Maine, we appreciate her trust in us and what we have the ability to accomplish together as she takes this journey with us."
