Tech tops Tigers in five-set thriller
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team needed five sets to put away Tennessee State on Friday night, but they made it happen, moving to 7-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 16-25, 15-6) win over the host Tigers.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team needed five sets to put away Tennessee State on Friday night, but they made it happen, moving to 7-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 16-25, 15-6) win over the host Tigers.
In the fifth and deciding set, the Golden Eagles (12-17, 7-6) opened with a 6-0 run to take an advantage that would never be relinquished. Sophomore setter Sharon Anderson led the way from the service line, dishing out aces and assists forcing the Tigers to take a time out. Freshman Kellie Williams put down four of her 16 kills in the fifth set, and committed no errors to help lead the Golden Eagles to victory.
Williams finished with four blocks and two digs along with her 16 kills, while hitting a team-best .361. Junior Cody Dodd led the way with a match-high 20 kills, adding nine digs and one block. This was Dodd's third 20+ game of the season. Freshman K'Vonna Johnson added nine kills and a career-best five blocks.
Anderson finished the match with 48 assists, two aces, two assists and eight digs. Senior libero Courtney Smith finished with a match-high 24 digs, while sophomore libero Kennedy Wade added 13.
Tennessee State (9-19, 3-10) was led by Neisha Crocket who put down 15 kills, while Haley Hampton added 11. Setter Sam Beltran dished out 37 assists, adding 11 digs, six kills, and two blocks. Libero Illeanushka Maldonado scooped up 20 digs, while Naomi Wells added 11.
The Golden Eagles return to action Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. CT as they take on Belmont in an afternoon showdown.
