By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team hits the road for the first time in Ohio Valley Conference play this season, making the long trek west to take on Little Rock in a pair of tilts over the weekend.
The Golden Eagles open the weekend with a 6:00 p.m. CT affair Friday evening at the Jack Stephens Center and follow it up with a 2:00 p.m. match-up against the Trojans on Saturday. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
THE MATCHUPS
Friday, September 29 – at Little Rock, 6:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, September 30 – at Little Rock, 2:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
History vs. Little Rock
The Golden Eagles boast a 3-1 record against the Trojans all-time, including a two-match sweep in Cookeville last season for the first time as OVC rivals. Little Rock's lone win in the series came on a neutral floor back in 2015. This weekend marks Tech's first-ever trip to Little Rock.
Preseason Honors
A trio of Golden Eagles picked up Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, including sophomore setter Jordan Karlen, junior outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen, and graduate middle blocker Skylar Boom, the most Tech players earning preseason recognition since 2008.
Shaneyfelt Shines
Freshman libero Jillian Shaneyfelt picked up the first honors of her collegiate career in the most unusual fashion on Monday, earning co-OVC Freshman of the Week accolades after excelling for the purple and gold against TSU this weekend, not as a defensive specialist, but rather as a setter. Forced into the role due to injuries among the Golden Eagle lineup, the rookie called upon her high school experience at the position and turned in 9.60 assists and 3.10 digs per set. She tallied 51 helpers with 16 digs for her first career double-double on Friday and followed it with 45 more assists and 15 digs for a second double-double on Saturday.
Consistent Attack
Now in her third season as the top offensive weapon for the Golden Eagles, Isringhausen has continued to show the consistency that earned her All-OVC Second Team honors in 2021 and First Team recognition last season. The junior outside currently ranks sixth in the OVC in points per set with a mark of 3.81, seventh with 3.19 kills per set, and ninth with 0.40 service aces per game. Isringhausen also turned in her fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season, posting 19 kills and 14 digs in the first match against TSU and 13 terminations and 11 digs in the second tilt.
Bella of the Ball
Junior outside hitter Bella Powell delivered a pair of double-doubles to open league play last weekend with Tennessee State, kicking things off with a season-high 19 kills and 11 digs on Friday. She followed it up with 11 more terminations and 13 digs in the second match on Saturday, marking her second and third double-doubles of the season. Powell also contributed two blocks in each match. The junior college transfer ranks second on the Golden Eagles with 2.40 kills per set.
Finding Her Form
Rookie right side Ava Schubert has started to find some consistency for the purple and gold, recording a season-high 12 kills in each of her last three matches. The freshman turned in 12 with six digs and two blocks in the weekend's opening match with TSU. She came back on Saturday to produce another 12 kills with two more blocks on Saturday.
Up Next
Tech returns home to play host to Lindenwood for the first time in program history, looking to avenge its loss to the Lions in last year's OVC Tournament in Martin, Tenn. The two squads will square off at 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 6 and follow it up with a 2:00 p.m. meeting on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Photo by Jim Dillon
