By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team kicks off the final stretch of the regular season Tuesday evening, playing host to longtime, Ohio Valley Conference rival Morehead State in a midweek match-up in the Hooper Eblen Center.
The match is slated for a 6:00 p.m. CT start in the Hoop and will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dylan Vazzano providing coverage of the action.
THE MATCHUPS
Tuesday, November 3 – vs. Morehead State, 6:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
History vs. Morehead State
Morehead State owns a commanding 76-22 lead in the all-time series, including a 33-11 mark in Cookeville. Earlier this season, the Eagles defeated Tech in Morehead, Ky. 3-0.
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.
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 fourth in the OVC in points with 4.06 per set, sixth in kills per set with a mark of 3.48, and eighth with 0.37 service aces per set.
Last week, Isringhausen was spectacular, racking up 4.78 kills per set while hitting .297 with 3.22 digs per set and two double-doubles in a pair of victories at Southern Indiana. The Edwardsville native currently ranks tied for 11th in career service aces.
Setting the Table
Sophomore Jordan Karlen ranks third in the league in assists per set on the season, averaging 9.81 per game. The reigning OVC Setter of the Year turned in an incredible weekend at Southern Indiana. Leading the team to a .269 attack, she turned in 12.56 assists per set and 2.33 digs per set while posting a double-double and securing career-highs in assists twice.
Finding Her Form
Rookie right side Ava Schubert currently ranks second among the Golden Eagles in kills, totaling 249 overall and averaging 2.42 per set on the year. The freshman tallied 4.44 per set over the weekend, hitting .419 with five blocks. She posted a season-high 21 kills on Saturday while smashing .432.
Here Comes the Boom
Boom has established herself as one of the top middles in program history. The Louisville native currently ranks sixth in Tech history in both total blocks and block assists and 10th in solo rejections. This past weekend, she secured her first career double-double with 11 kills and 11 blocks at Southern Indiana.
The Defensive Specialist
Young has been a steady presence for Tech this season, leading the team in digs and digs per set for the fourth straight year. The junior currently ranks sixth in program history in career digs and tied for ninth in service aces.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles close out their regular season with a pair of matches in the Hooper Eblen Center Friday and Saturday against Southeast Missouri. The weekend will open Friday with a 6:00 p.m. CT match. Saturday's finale will feature a 7:00 p.m. start and represent Senior Day.
Photo by Jim Dillon
