By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team and head coach Jeannette Phillips welcomed yet another piece for the Golden Eagles in 2023, announcing the signing of Elena Wallace as a part of this year's signing class. Wallace will also suit up for the Golden Eagle beach volleyball team in their second year of competition next spring.
Elena Wallace
Middle Blocker | 6'1 | Cedar Hills, Utah (Salt Lake CC) | Club V / Club 801 (Club)
Wallace played the past two seasons at Salt Lake CC, producing strong results right out of the gate as a freshman in 2021. The middle blocker played 91 of the team's 103 sets, ranking second on the team with both 64.0 total blocks, and 19 solo blocks.
She also finished third with 45 block assists while tallying 172 kills. Following her rookie campaign, Wallace picked up All-Region 18 Honorable Mention honors and was named Academic All-SWAC and to the NJCAA Academic Second Team. Limited to 18 sets as a sophomore due to injury, she put forth strong averages, accounting for 1.83 kills per set on a .391 attack percentage and 0.56 blocks per set.
Competing at Mountain View High School in Orem, Utah, Wallace earned two letters in volleyball while playing for head coach Jaicee Roden and two more in beach volleyball while competing for head coach Jada Scott. She picked up All-Region First Team and All-State Second Team accolades in 2019 while leading her indoor squad to a 5A State championship.
She also helped guide the MVHS beach squad to back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020. Wallace competed for both Club V and Club 801 teams during the summer.
"Elena will bring a high volleyball IQ to our court and some physicality that we are excited to add to our middle group," Phillips expressed. "She knows what it feels like to be the go-to, and she is ready to bring that level of performance to another program.
"Elena immediately fit in with our players in that she is very competitive and she genuinely loves playing the game with her volleyball family around her. It is a wonderful combination when a player can work hard, lift others up in the process, and learn from others while still leading by example. This is the lucky combination we have found in Elena, and we are excited to see her grow through her journey here at Tech."
Photo by Thomas Corhern
