November 13, 2010

Tourney Time: Golden Eagles head to OVC affair for fourth straight year

The "second season" begins this week for the Tennessee Tech volleyball team as the Golden Eagles head to Morehead, Ky., for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. Tech wrapped up the 2010 regular season Saturday evening, droppig a 3-1 contest to SEMO before celebrating Senior Night.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the 2010 volleyball regular season in the record books the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles await Jacksonville State in the first round of the OVC Tournament.

Behind a 10-19 record and an 8-10 OVC mark, the Golden Eagles will take part in their fourth straight OVC Tournament as they take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks Thursday, at 3:30 p.m. CT.

"They'll be excited to face Jacksonville State," head coach John Blair said. "We start the season anew and we have to make sure we're the best going out of the tournament, not just the best going in."

All matches in the OVC Tournament will be played in Morehead, Ky., as Morehead State finished first in the OVC standings with a 17-1 OVC.

In their two previous matches this season, Tennessee Tech notched a pair of 3-1 victories against JSU. Tech is 4-2 against the Gamecocks over the last three seasons.

TTU wrapped up its 2010 season Saturday evening with a 3-1 loss to Southeast Missouri.

"It's a little disappointing for our seniors, but Southeast Missouri played great tonight," Blair said.

After dropping the first set 25-19, the Golden Eagles rallied in the second set as they notched a 25-15 win, behind seven kills from senior Marie Peddicord, to head into the locker room tied up at one set apiece.

The crucial third set saw both teams tied at 16, midway through the set. Both teams continued to battle as they were tied up at 24 to force extra points. SEMO recorded the first point, but TTU responded right back to tie it a 25. The Redhawks were able to score two straight points to take the set 27-25.

Southeast Missouri went on to win the fourth set 25-19 to take the match 3-1.

Senior Leah Meffert posted a double-double with 18 kills and 15 digs in her final appearance in Eblen Center, while freshman Allison May added 30 digs. Senior Melanie Culp posted 40 assists, and sophomore Kelsey Gray tallied eight total blocks.