By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team makes its way back to Cookeville to host Lindenwood for the first time in program history, welcoming the Lions to the Hooper Eblen Center for a pair of Ohio Valley Conference tilts.
The Golden Eagles open the weekend with a 6:00 p.m. CT affair Friday evening with Lindenwood and follow it up with a 2:00 p.m. match-up against the Lions on Saturday. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Metz on the call.
Friday's match will serve as the team's Mental Health Awareness Match. Following Saturday's match, the Tech volleyball team will hold its annual Youth Day, hosting a 30-minute minute clinic followed by an autograph session. The event is free and open to kids in sixth grade or younger. To register, please fill out this form or contact Raven Guilford at 931-372-3709.
THE MATCHUPS
Friday, October 6 – vs. Lindenwood, 6:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, October 7 – vs. Lindenwood, 2:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
History vs. Lindenwood
The Golden Eagles own a 1-2 record against the Lions all-time, splitting last year's regular-season weekend in St. Charles Missouri. Lindenwood then defeated Tech in the first round of the OVC Tournament last season. This weekend marks the Lions' first-ever trip to Cookeville.
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.
Karlen Returns
After missing the opening weekend of OVC action due to injury, reigning OVC Setter of the Year Jordan Karlen started Tech's first match with at Little Rock on the bench while looking to give her a little more time to rest. With the Golden Eagle offense struggling through the first set-and-a-half, the sophomore took over for the purple and gold and was special, delivering 44 assists to help lift Tech to a remarkable 3-2 win after trailing 2-0. She averaged 11.00 assists per set in the match. She followed it up with 19 helpers and 13 digs on Saturday, recording her fifth double-double of the year.
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 3.85 and seventh with 3.25 kills per set. Isringhausen also turned in her seventh double-double of the season, posting 19 kills and a career-high 21 digs in the first match at Little Rock.
Finding Her Form
Rookie right side Ava Schubert continued to play well in her first match at Little Rock, making it four straight tilts with double-digit kills. After posting 12 terminations in each of her past three affairs, the freshman delivered 11 in the first match-up with the Trojans, adding three blocks to the mix. She turned in six in Saturday's tilt.
Up Next
Tech kicks off a three-match road stretch with a visit north at Morehead State on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 5:00 p.m. CT. The Golden Eagles then make their way to Edwardsville, Ill. for two tilts at SIUE, including a 5:00 p.m. affair on Friday, Oct. 13 and 2:00 p.m. match-up on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Photo by Michael Mann Jr.
