By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team and head coach Jeannette Phillips welcomed a group of four future Golden Eagles into the wings Wednesday, announcing the signings of Katie Green, Mallory Jenkins, Bella Lineberger, and Alayna Pierce as a part of the 2024 signing class.
Katie Green
Libero | 5'9
Nashville, Tenn. (Father Ryan HS)
Alliance Volleyball (Club)
Green led Nashville's Father Ryan High School to back-to-back semifinal appearances at the TSSAA State Championships, including a third-place showing this past season. A three-time All-Region selection, she picked up All-State First Team accolades in 2021, was named to the 2023 Super Southern Showcase Invite West Team.
During her career, Green helped FRHS claim four consecutive region crowns, providing more than 1,000 kills, 1,200 digs, 190 service aces, and 75 blocks throughout her career. As a senior, she piled up 343 terminations, 420 digs, 67 aces, and 28 rejections. That followed a junior campaign boasting 320 kills, 370 digs, 55 aces, and 22 blocks and totals of 280 kills, 350 digs, 62 aces, and 23 stops as a sophomore.
"Katie is, simply put, an animal on the court. We actually first saw everything that she could do in our gym at a summer camp. We had watched her club team prior to her coming to camp, but when she was able to step out of her role on her team and just show off as an individual, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted her to continue to do great things on our home court for years to come. Katie has a true libero mentality and has the ability to cover an amazing amount of court through her skill and gritty effort. Not only is she animalistic on the court, but she is such a truly genuine human being as well. Katie is one of those people that you can feel her giving you her full attention and truly caring when you are interacting, and that characteristic makes her a very special teammate."
Mallory Jenkins
Middle Blocker | 6'4
Wilson, N.C. (Fike HS)
Triangle Volleyball (Club)
Jenkins was a three-sport athlete at Fike High School in Wilson, N.C., earning a combined 12 varsity letters between her time as a middle blocker in volleyball, center in basketball, and defender in soccer. Well rounded, she earned All-Conference honors in all three sports and helped lead both her basketball and soccer squads to conference titles.
An All-Region selection on the volleyball court, she put together a special senior campaign. The future Tech middle registered 241 kills, rejected 100 opponent attacks, piled up 388 digs, and secured 37 service aces.
"Mallory is a very exciting addition for us in many ways. She obviously brings some size to our gym that any coach would welcome with open arms, but she has a big personality to match. As many competitors do, Mallory has a game face, but after you get to know her, you understand the fun balance of high-level play and humor she will instantly bring into our group. We have had the honor of hosting many successful middles within our program and Mallory will be the next to find significant success; we are sure of that. We cannot wait to see her continue to grow through this club season as she prepares for her career as a Golden Eagle."
Bella Lineberger
Setter | 5'9
Raleigh, N.C. (Apex HS)
Triangle Volleyball (Club)
Lineberger put together three impressive seasons on the hardwood, including two at Apex High School in Apex, N.C. As a senior, she picked up All-Region Team and All-SWAC Team honors after tallying 650 assists, 37 blocks, and 7.7 digs per match .
A two-time team MVP and Capitol Hill Best Setter Award winner, she missed her junior campaign due to injury. Lineberger enjoyed a strong sophomore season, producing 447 helpers, 34 aces, and 6.6 digs per match.
"Bella is coming to us as someone that is used to high-level competition and success. She has very high standards for herself, but remains a caring teammate in the process. She exemplifies leadership in every capacity and we are excited to see that trait continue here at Tech. Bella knows what hard work it takes to be a setter at the Division I level and by watching her play and the conversations we've had together, we know she is going to be ready for the challenge. She will immediately heighten our level of play and we cannot wait to have her finally join us."
Alayna Pierce
Outside Hitter | 5'11
Genoa, Ill. (Genoa-Kingston HS)
Fusion (Club)
Pierce turned in a decorated career at Genoa-Kinston High School in Genoa, Ill., leading her squad to both conference and regional titles in 2021, 2022, and 2023. She helped GKHS also claim sectional, super-sectional, and state crowns as a junior.
A three-time Big Northern Conference First Team honoree, she was named the Chicago Tribune/Beacon-News/Courier-News Volleyball Player of the Year and Daily Chronicle Volleyball Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. During her career, she accounted for 1,324 kills and 838 digs, amassing 488 terminations and 227 digs as a senior and 452 kills and 326 digs as a junior. Pierce also finished as GKHS' record holder for kills in a game, in a season, and in a career.
"Alayna is a powerhouse filled with a passion for volleyball and quality relationships with others. When we first saw her play, we were struck by the fact that not only did she have a cannon for an arm, but she just seemed to flow through the game with an attitude that could not be phased under pressure. She holds a wonderful balance of smiles and execution consistently, and as a result, is obviously well respected by her teammates and coaches. She is thoughtful and tenacious and that is not an easy line to walk as seamlessly as she does. We know the excitement is mutual since she is constantly sharing her good vibes to us from afar. She is already all in, and we cannot wait to have her with us physically and get her good vibes in person."
