August 27, 2010
Golden Eagles drop season opener to Albany
The Golden Eagle volleyball team took Albany into extra points in two sets Friday but opened the season with a 3-1 loss to the Great Danes on the first day of Clemson's Big Orange Bash.
CLEMSON, S.C. - The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles fell to the Albany Great Danes in their first match of the Clemson Big Orange Bash Friday, falling 3-1 by the scores of 25-20, 26-24, 25-27 and 25-15. The loss puts TTU's record at 0-1 on the season.
"It's a difficult thing to give up three- or four-point runs,"
head coach John Blair said. "If you don't respond right away you
can find yourself down quickly."
The Great Danes took the first set 25-20, but the Golden
Eagles did not make it easy as Albany needed extra points to beat
TTU, 26-24, in the second set.
Tech rebounded in the third set and forced extra points for
the second straight set before claiming a 27-25 victory and send
the contest to the fourth set. The fourth set saw Albany in control
throughout as the Danesy took the set 25-15 and the match.
Senior outside hitter Leah Meffert led TTU in
kills with 16, while hitting .286, while senior setter Melanie Culp posted 41
assists and 10 digs.
"I thought Melanie did a good job keeping us in our offense,"
Blair said.
Three of TTU's newest members -- middle blocker Elise
Robertson, outside hitter Natalie Penrod and defensive specialist
Allison May -- also saw significant playing time. Penrod and
Robertson combined for 19 kills while May led the team with 15
digs.
"The freshmen came out and represented themselves quite well,"
Blair said.
The Golden Eagle wrap up the Clemson Big Orange Bash Saturday
as they take on the Clemson Tigers at 11 a.m. and the Jacksonville
(Fla.) Dolphins at 3 p.m.
