By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team will look to keep its undefeated ways rolling into week two of the 2024 season, as the Golden Eagles open play at the Charlotte Invitational Friday in Charlotte, N.C.
Slated from Friday, Sept. 6 to Saturday, Sept. 7, the purple and gold will square off the host 49ers at 9:00 a.m. CT Friday morning to officially open the weekend's tournament. The Golden Eagles will take on Towson later in the afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. affair before wrapping up the weekend with a 12:00 p.m. tilt against Delaware State on Saturday.
Tech's match-up with Charlotte will be streamed on ESPN+ while the other two Golden Eagle matches will feature live stats only.
THE MATCHUPS
Friday, September 6 – at Charlotte, 9:00 a.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Friday, September 6 – vs. Towson, 3:30 p.m. | Live Stats
Saturday, September 7 – vs. Delaware State, 12:00 p.m. | Live Stats
Wide Open
For the first time in program history, the purple and gold secured a trio of 3-0 wins to open a season, claiming the Carrie Yerty Classic title in Memphis last weekend. Tech also set a program record for most consecutive set victories to start a year, locking down nine straight to stay unblemished on the young season.
Playing Outside
Senior outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen opened her fifth and final season in the purple and gold with a literal bang, claiming MVP honors at the Carrie Yerty Classic and OVC Offensive Player of the Week accolades. The veteran averaged 5.33 kills per set while hitting .354 and contributing across the board. Isringhausen climbed to ninth for career service aces, landing 115 in her time in the purple and gold to pass Maggie Stern (1999-00).
Setting Things Up
Junior setter Jordan Karlen was a beacon of consistency for the purple and gold over the opening weekend, picking up Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament honors and OVC co-Setter of the Week accolades for her efforts. Guiding a dominant Tech offense, the Janesville, Wis. native averaged 10.33 assists per set and picked up a double-double in the opener with 26 helpers and 14 digs. Karlen moved into 10th on the career list for assists, passing Sarah Hagovsky (1996-99) with 2,276 so far.
Freshman Focus
Rookie middle blocker Mallory Jenkins made her presence felt in the opening weekend, picking up Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament honors before a solid debut. The freshman racked up 15 kills and nine total blocks over the weekend, hitting .324 on the attack.
Floor General
Senior libero McKenna Young continued her steady presence on the defensive side of the ball, opening her fifth and final year as a Golden Eagle with a healthy weekend of work. The Murfreesboro, native locked down a team-high 36 digs, averaging 4.00 per set. Young edged past Rachel Melchiorre (1994-97) to take third on Tech's career digs rankings, boasting 1,595 so far in her Tech tenure.
Current OVC Rankings
A quick glance at where the Golden Eagles ranks among the OVC statistical leaders:
- Hitting Percentage – Isringhausen (3rd - .354); Jenkins (7th - .324)
- Assists – Karlen (2nd - 10.33/set)
- Blocks – Jenkins (T-5th - 1.00/set)
- Kills – Isringhausen (2nd - 5.33/set)
- Service Aces – Brooke Amann (T-1st - 0.67/set); Katie Green (T-1st - 0.67/set); Isringhausen (T-3rd - 0.56/set); Aleeya Jones (T-3rd - 0.56/set)
- Digs – Young (10th - 4.00/set)
- Points – Isringhausen (2nd - 5.94/set)
An Honored Group
A quick look at the honors picked up by the Golden Eagles in 2024:
- Madolyn Isringhausen
- Preseason All-OVC Team
- Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament Team
- Carrie Yerty Classic MVP
- OVC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 2)
- TSWA Volleyball Player of the Week (Sept. 3)
- Jordan Karlen
- Preseason All-OVC Team
- Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament Team
- OVC Setter of the Week (Sept. 2)
- Mallory Jenkins
- Preseason OVC Player to Watch
- Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament Team
Up Next
Tech returns home for its annual Golden Eagle Invitational presented by Holiday Inn of Cookeville, running Friday, Sept. 13 through Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Hooper Eblen Center. After squaring off with Nicholls in a 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Tech will return to the court for a 7:00 p.m. appointment with West Georgia. The weekend concludes as the Golden Eagles host Radford in a 2:00 p.m. match.
Photo by Jim Dillon
