Kenline named OVC Defensive Player of the Week
Two days after helping lead the Tennessee Tech volleyball team to its first victory of the season, senior Katie Kenline was voted the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Two days after helping lead the Tennessee Tech volleyball team to its first victory of the season, senior Katie Kenline was voted the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week. This is the eighth time in Kenline's career, and first time this season, that she has earned the distinction.
The 2008 OVC Defensive Player of the Year, Kenline totaled 71 digs at last weekend's Appalachian State Invitational to lead all players and earn all-tournament team honors. The 5-foot-8 libero recorded a season-high 32 digs in TTU's win against William & Mary and also put up 20 digs against Appalachian State and 19 versus North Florida.
"It was a very good performance by Katie - she played three really strong matches," said head coach John Blair. "She felt a little out of sorts to start the tournament but kept fighting through it and finished playing like we need her to do for this team to be successful."
Kenline's play in the match against the Tribe was particularly impressive noted coach Blair.
"She played extremely well against William & Mary," Blair said. "She was getting touches on nearly every ball."
Already the record holder for career digs at Tennessee Tech, Kenline is in position to become the first player in the program's history to surpass 2,000 career digs. The Ossian, Ind., native currently has 1,991 digs in just more than three seasons.
Kenline will have plenty of opportunities to surpass the 2,000 dig mark this weekend as the Golden Eagles travel to Louisville, Ky., for the Louisville Invitational where they will meet the host Lady Cardinals along with Toledo and Liberty. Tech begins action on Friday night at 6 p.m. against Louisville.
