Golden Eagles give good showing at UT Martin
October 18, 2011

Golden Eagles give good showing at UT Martin

Despite putting up a solid effort throughout the match, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team was unable to pull off the road win Tuesday, as it took the loss to UT Martin in four sets

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MARTIN, Tenn. --- Despite putting up a solid effort throughout the match, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team was unable to pull off the road win Tuesday, as it took the loss to UT Martin in four sets.

In TTU's previous encounter with UT Martin this season, sophomore Natalie Penrod served as one of Tech's offensive sparks, and she continued this trend as she posted a match-high 18 kills, to go along with nine digs.

The Golden Eagles opened the match firing on all cylinders as they took the opening set 25-19. TTU jumped out to an early 14-7 lead and never looked back as it took the set 25-19. Tech was buoyed by Penrod's four kills, and a total of six TTU block assists at the net.  

The second set featured a much closer affair as both teams were tied up late at 18. The Skyhawks then ran off three straight points and were able to keep the Golden Eagles at bay for the remained of the set as they evened the match with a 25-23 second set victory.

The third set proved even more competitive than the second as a total of six lead changes took place en route to a UTM 26-24 set win. Both teams were tied late in the set at 23, but some crucial blocking by the Skyhawks proved the difference as UT Martin took the third set.

The fourth set began with more of the same as UTM held a one-point lead a 10-9, but the Skyhawks were able to finish the set on a 15-11 run to take the set 25-20, and the match.

Penrod's 18 kills against UTM were a match-high, while sophomore Allison May tallied a team-high 28 digs. Junior Kelsey Gray added nine kills, to go along with four total blocks, while freshman Sarah Teel recorded eight kills.

Kelly Hogan paced the Skyhawk offense with 14 kills, while Kasey Elswick notched a match-high 38 digs.

The Golden Eagles (3-19, 2-10 OVC) return home for a pair of matches this weekend beginning with the Southeast Missouri Redhawks Friday, at 7 p.m.