Tech takes on UT Martin in four-set thriller
September 16, 2011

Tech takes on UT Martin in four-set thriller

Back and forth action was the order of Friday evening’s match in Eblen Center, as the seesaw Ohio Valley Conference matchup between UT Martin and Tennessee Tech went the way of the Skyhawks 3-1

Box Score Preview

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Back and forth action was the order of Friday evening's match in Eblen Center, as the seesaw Ohio Valley Conference matchup between UT Martin and Tennessee Tech went the way of the Skyhawks 3-1.

After a forgetful first set in which UTM was victorious 25-12, the Golden Eagles found new life in the second set as they put up a defensive wall that stymied the Skyhawk offense.

Using nine total blocks, TTU held UTM's offense to a .000 hitting percentage, as Tech controlled the action at the net. Junior Kelsey Gray, who tallied two total blocks in the second set, led the Golden Eagle offense with four kills, while junior Madison Comperry dished out six assists.

On the other side of the net, the Skyhakws committed 12 attack errors, and five service errors, as the Golden Eagles took the second set 25-19.

Back from the intermission, the competitive action continued in the third set as both teams were knotted at 10 early on. The Skyhawks then mounted a six-point run to take a 16-10 lead and never looked back as they took the set 25-19. Freshman Ellen Conti paced the Golden Eagle offense with six kills in the sixth set, while sophomore Ashleigh Hancock added 11 assists.

The back and forth action continued in the fourth set as both teams were tied at 16. UTM recorded four of the next five points to take a 20-17, and managed to keep Tech at arm's distance the rest of the way as it took the fourth set 25-20, and the match. Conti remained shard into the fourth set as she led the Golden Eagle offense with seven kills.

Conti led TTU hitters in kills with 16, and was followed closely by sophomore Natalie Penrod, who had 13 kills. Hancock dished out 26 assists, while sophomore Allison May recorded 24 digs.

On the other side of the net, Ashley Doherty led the Skyhawks on offense with 14 kills, while Kasey Elswick notched a match-high 32 digs.

The Golden Eagles (1-11, 0-2 OVC) travel to Murray State Friday (Sept. 23), to take on the Racers, at 7 p.m.