By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second straight night, Tennessee State bested the Tennessee Tech volleyball team Friday, defeating the Golden Eagles 3-1 at Kean Hall in Nashville.
On the evening, the Tigers outhit the purple and gold .266 to .147, racking up 59 kills and 13.0 blocks. Tech's 40 kills and 6.0 blocks proved not enough in the affair, moving to 2-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
TSU came out firing early, taking as large as an eight-point lead in the opening set at 23-15. Tech fought back, closing the gap to 24-20 before a timeout by the home team paused the run. The Tigers came out of the break and responded with the winning kill.
Tennessee State followed 16 kills in the first set with 15 more in the second, taking as large as a four-point advantage with a 10-6 lead. The two sides went back-and-forth down the stretch, squaring things up at 23-23. Tech appeared to score the go-ahead point at 24-23, but the Tigers challenged the play successfully to overturn the call.
TSU finished off the set after an unsuccessful Tech challenge, winning 25-23.
The Golden Eagles overcame an early Tiger lead in the third set, breaking a 12-12 tie and never looking back. Tech jumped out with a 7-1 run, leading 19-13 and holding off a late TSU comeback bid. After TSU cut the lead to 21-18, the purple and gold answered right back with four straight to take the set, 25-18.
The Tigers pulled away midway through the fourth set, snapping a 7-7 draw and never letting the Golden Eagles back in it. Tennessee State captured the game, 25-14 to win the match.
Outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen led the purple and gold with 14 kills in the contest, hitting .242 with six digs and three blocks. Middle blocker Taylor Dorsey joined the double-digit club with 10 kills on a .381 attack percentage. She also led the team with six blocks.
Freshman setter Jordan Karlen posted her second double-double of the weekend on the night, recording 36 assists with a team-high 17 digs. Libero McKenna Young also provided double figures in digs, tallying 11 for the match.
The Golden Eagles will wrap up their four-match road swing next weekend, visiting new OVC foe Lindenwood on Friday, Oct. 7 for a 6:00 p.m. tilt and Saturday, Oct. 8 for a 2:00 p.m. affair.
File photo by Jim Dillon
