November 12, 2019

Hand honored as Tech Athletics' Unsung Leader for October

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Much like a quarterback in football or point guard in basketball, the offense runs through the setter position in volleyball. Unlike football or basketball, however, the setter position is often overlooked and rarely gets the same level of notoriety.

By TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Much like a quarterback in football or point guard in basketball, the offense runs through the setter position in volleyball. Unlike football or basketball, however, the setter position is often overlooked and rarely gets the same level of notoriety.

The position literally entails "setting" up others for scoring opportunities, and much like a good quarterback or good point guard, a good setter can make all the difference between winning and losing a contest.

That has been case for the Tennessee Tech volleyball team in 2019, as sophomore setter Ashley Hand has helped lead the Golden Eagles to two more Ohio Valley Conference victories than in 2018, with still two more regular season matches to play. In fact, Tech sits just one victory away from a return to the OVC Tournament after missing the league's annual postseason event each of the last three years.

"Ashley's dedication to improving her craft is exactly what makes her a good leader and role model for her teammates," Tech assistant and setters coach Zach Weinberg said. "She is never willing to settle and always looking to inspire others to continue to improve. Her attitude, fun personality and her smile are contagious, and she is always doing the right thing whether people are looking or not. She is an elite student in the classroom and a great ambassador for Tennessee Tech volleyball in the community, so it is no surprise she was named a captain as only a sophomore. Ashley is extremely deserving of this honor."

It hasn't just been her coaches that have noticed the difference.

"I know Ashley has worked hard to improve her game, and I think the team's improvement this season reflects that," Tech faculty athletics representative Dr. Jeff Roberts expressed. "I'm further impressed by the fact that she is always smiling and seemingly always encouraging her teammates in positive ways."

Hand's great attitude on and off the court is contagious, but her improved skill on the court has been evident. On Saturday, the sophomore passed 1,000 assists for her career and sits just a handful away from eclipsing 1,000 for the 2019 season. Directing an offense that hit .273 this past weekend in two road matches, Hand was honored as the OVC Setter of the Week for the first time in her young career.

"Ashley has worked hard and improved so much over the past year, it has really been a pleasure to watch her lead her team," Tech director of compliance Mandy Thatcher said. "The success of Ali Verzani, Taylor Dorsey and Rachel Thomas lies with Ashley. Setters often don't get the credit they deserve, and reaching 1,000 assists during her sophomore year is a testament to her hard work."

It is for these qualities and dedication that Hand is the recipient of the October Unsung Leader Award.

The Unsung Leader Award is selected from student-athletes, who have been nominated by their coaching staff, for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities during the past month. The leadership can be shown on the field, in the weight room, at practice, in the classroom, in study hall, on campus, in the community or for a student club or organization.

The award honors a varsity student-athlete who has made a positive impact on their team and the Tennessee Tech community as a whole, through his or her dedication to demonstrating leadership traits, such as: