By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Already armed with its best start in program history, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team kept the momentum riding with a perfect 2-0 start to Ohio Valley Conference play over the weekend, thanks in large part to big performances from outside hitters Madolyn Isringhausen Alayna Pierce. The pair was recognized by the league for their work in the two victories, with both receiving weekly honors Monday afternoon.
For the third time in 2024 and her career, Isringhausen took home OVC Offensive Player of the Week accolades after serving as an attack machine for the purple and gold. The senior compiled 48 kills across nine sets of action, averaging 5.33 per set while hitting a robust .327.
At Tennessee State, she helped Tech rally from a 2-1 deficit by smashing 23 terminations on .300 efficiency and with four total stops. She added 10 digs for a double-double as well. She upped the ante in the team's four-set win over Morehead State, tying her career-high of 25 kills while hitting .353 with an ace and two more blocks. The performance tied for the fourth-most terminations in a four-set match in the rally-scoring era in Tech history.
The veteran ranks seventh nationally in total kills, eighth in total points, 14th in kills per set, and 19th in points per set.
Pierce earned her first career OVC Freshman of the Week honor, sharing the award with Lindenwood's Autumn Bax. The rookie put together her best defensive weekend as a Golden Eagle while still contributing significantly to the offense across nine sets of work, averaging 2.78 kills and 3.11 digs.
The Genoa, Ill. native started the weekend with 15 terminations, two service aces, two blocks, and nine digs in the team's five-set win at Tennessee State. On Saturday, Pierce helped take down Morehead State in four sets, dialing up 10 terminations to go along with a season and match-high 19 scoops.
The Golden Eagles continue their homestand with a pair of 2:00 p.m. CT tilts against Western Illinois this Thursday and Friday in the Hooper Eblen Center.
Photos by Jim Dillon
