By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Fresh off its winningest season in more than a decade, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team reached unchartered territory when it comes to the Ohio Valley Conference preseason predictions. On Wednesday morning, the OVC announced the Golden Eagles as co-favorites to take home the league crown in 2023, sharing the top spot on the preseason predicted order of finish with Southeast Missouri.
Following a 2022 campaign that saw the purple and gold post its most regular-season wins (17) and OVC wins (14) since 2008 (the last time the program won the conference crowns), Tech picked up its highest position in the preseason predictions during the rally-scoring era (since 2001). The Golden Eagles racked up 168 points overall with six first-place votes (the most for a Tech squad since at least 2001), identical totals to fellow preseason favorite SEMO.
"Preseason predictions are tricky," Tech head coach Jeannette Phillips explained. "Don't get me wrong. We appreciate the recognition and being placed at the top at this point in the season feels great, but no matter where anyone lands on that list, everyone has to show up each match ready to fight."
Last season, the Golden Eagles did just that, rolling off an impressive 14-4 mark in league play and boasting a 10-match winning streak, the second-longest in program history and best stretch since the 1983 team captured 12-straight wins. It also marked the longest in-conference winning streak in school history. Tech will now look to build on back-to-back seasons with at least 16 wins and 11 or more OVC victories, the first time the program has achieved those marks since the 2007 and 2008 campaigns.
"The great thing about our conference is that anyone can win any given night," Phillips said. "That is also what is so difficult about our conference. You can never count anyone out. So, while we thank the OVC for the respect, it is now our job to continue to earn that respect the rest of the season."
Also released Wednesday morning was the 2023 Preseason All-OVC Team, featuring a trio of Golden Eagles that saw postseason recognition last season. Sophomore setter Jordan Karlen, junior outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen, and graduate middle blocker Skylar Boom were all selected to the list, representing the most preseason honorees by the league for a Tech team since 2008.
The league's reigning Freshman and Setter of the Year, representing the first player in OVC history to win both awards in the same season, Karlen returns to the hardwood following a record-breaking rookie campaign. The sophomore set the program's freshman assists record, ranking second in the league in both assists and assists per set.
Named OVC Setter of the Week and OVC Newcomer of the Week three times each, Karlen was also selected to the All-OVC First Team following her first season in Cookeville. The Janesville, Wis. native also set the Tech freshman record for assists in a three-set match during the rally-scoring era.
"Jordan is a fierce competitor, a talented player, and an amazing teammate," Phillips expressed. "She really came into her own toward the end of last season and she is picking up where she left off going into the fall. We are so proud of her accomplishments already and it's great to see that others appreciate the ability she has to heighten our play."
One season after earning an All-OVC Second Team nod, Isringhausen upped her game to receive her first selection to the All-OVC First Team last season. The Edwardsville, Ill. native led the Golden Eagles in kills, kills per set, points, points per set, and service aces, ranking in the top-10 in the league in all five categories.
Isringhausen piled up a whopping 40 aces during her sophomore campaign, the fourth-highest total by a Golden Eagle during the rally-scoring era. She also recorded the program's first triple-double in the rally-scoring era and first since 2000, accounting for 15 kills, 11 digs, and 10 blocks in four sets against Little Rock.
"Maddie has been such a powerful leader for us on and off the court," Phillips said. "She exemplifies the saying that 'hard work pays off.' She always gives everything she has and we are so proud of her accomplishments. Maddie just brings more to the table each time she sets out to the court. She has become more confident in herself as a player and our team truly trusts her. We appreciate that the OVC sees what we feel every day from her."
Earning her first Preseason All-OVC accolade, Boom racked up her first All-OVC Second Team honor last season, ranking among both team and league leaders in total blocks, block assists, and solo blocks. Her 20 solo stops marked the third-highest total in the OVC.
During the season, the Louisville native posted the third-highest attack percentage in a three-set match during the rally-scoring era and turned in the third-most blocks assists in a four-set match in the rally-scoring era. Boom was also recognized as the MVP of the Bobcat Invitational, helping guide Tech to the tournament crown.
"Skylar has been a huge part of what we do for so long now," Phillips expressed. "We were thrilled when she decided to stick around for another year and I know she wants to go out with a bang; or a 'Boom' rather. She is ready to up her game to the next level this season and it should be thrilling to watch. Skylar plays with true heart and puts everything out there for us. For her to be recognized in such a positive way by our conference is wonderful to see."
The Golden Eagles are slated to kick off the 2023 season with a season-opening trip to Boone, N.C. and the Mountaineer Classic. Tech will square off with Bellarmine at 9:00 a.m. CT and follow with a 3:00 p.m. match-up against William & Mary, both on Friday, Aug. 25. The event will conclude with a 12:30 p.m. tilt versus tournament host App State on Saturday, Aug. 26.
2023 Preseason All-OVC Volleyball Team
(as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
Zoey Beasley, Southeast Missouri
Tara Beilsmith, Southeast Missouri
Kaitlyn Flynn, Eastern Illinois
Maddie Isringhausen, Tennessee Tech
Jordan Karlen, Tennessee Tech
Giovana Larregui Lopez, Eastern Illinois
Irene Wogenstahl, Morehead State
Kennedy Davis, Tennessee State
Sydney Wyman, Morehead State
Christina Martinez Mundo, Eastern Illinois
Skylar Boom, Tennessee Tech
Daedrianna Cail, Little Rock
Leah Anderson, Southern Indiana
Sydney Hummert, SIUE
2023 OVC Volleyball Predicted Team Order of Finish
(as Selected by OVC Head Volleyball Coaches and Sports Information Directors)
T1. Tennessee Tech (Six first-place votes) - 168
T1. Southeast Missouri (Six first-place votes) - 168
3. UT Martin (Six first-place votes) - 164
4. Eastern Illinois (Two first-place votes) - 156
5. Morehead State - 134
6. Tennessee State (Two first-place votes) - 126
7. Lindenwood - 80
8. SIUE - 78
9. Little Rock - 58
10. Western Illinois - 40
11. Southern Indiana - 24
Photos by Jim Dillon & Emily Armstrong
