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Tech seeks to extend five-match winning streak
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Returning to the Eblen Center last weekend proved to be a welcome homecoming as the Golden Eagles defeated visiting Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State to extend their season-best winning streak to five matches. The Tennessee Tech volleyball team will seek to remain on the winning track this weekend when the team travels to Murray State and UT Martin for a pair of contests.
The Golden Eagles have found their rhythm of late and it showed particularly against Morehead State who entered the match with an 8-2 mark in conference play. Tech was able to dictate the pace of the match as the team used a balanced attack and outstanding defense to capture the four-set victory.
TTU will look for a repeat of that performance this weekend as the Golden Eagles make their push toward the top of the OVC standings. Currently, Tech sits alone in fourth place with a 7-4 record in conference play, while Jacksonville State is setting the pace with an undefeated 11-0 mark followed by Austin Peay (8-2) and Morehead State (8-3).
Immediately following Tech in the standings is the team's opponent on Friday night, Murray State. The Racers currently have a 5-5 record in conference play after picking up a pair of victories last weekend, including sending second-placed Austin Peay to its second conference loss of the season. Murray State has been particularly difficult to beat at home this season where they are 5-1 in OVC matches.
Murray State is led by setter Jade Guo, who is among the league leaders in assists (9.68 a/s), and libero Kayleah Sauer, who is fresh off of being named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week. Tech played Murray State earlier this season and defeated the Racers, 3-2, at the Eblen Center.
On Saturday, Tech will get its second look at the Skyhawks of UT Martin who began the season by winning five of its first six matches, but they hold just a 2-13 mark since that time. With a 2-9 record in the OVC, UT Martin is in ninth place in the conference. So far, both of the Skyhawks conference victories -- against Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois -- have come at home.
UTM is lead by Lauren Montague, who is averaging 2.81 kills per set, and Kasey Elswick, who is averaging 5.01 digs per set. The Golden Eagles and Skyhawks faced off earlier this season at the Eblen Center when TTU swept the match to pick up its first OVC win of the season.
The Golden Eagles are scheduled to play at 7 p.m. on Friday against Murray State before traveling to Martin, Tenn., to take on the Skyhawks at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Tech's match against UT Martin will be Web streamed through OVCsports.tv.
