Tech falls twice on final day of Bama Bash Invitational
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It was a pair of tough losses for the Tennessee Tech volleyball team Saturday, as the Golden Eagles (5-6) wrapped up their non-conference slate with a doubleheader of intense competition at the Bama Bash Invitational.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
26 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
|
24 | 20 | 19 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
13 | 16 | 23 | 0 |
|
|
25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Team Stats
Houston
| Game Statistics | Houston | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .179 | .050 |
| Blocks | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Digs | 57 | 54 |
| Aces | 4 | 5 |
Alabama
| Game Statistics | Tennessee Tech | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .140 | .189 |
| Blocks | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Digs | 34 | 34 |
| Aces | 3 | 12 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It was a pair of tough losses for the Tennessee Tech volleyball team Saturday, as the Golden Eagles (5-6) wrapped up their non-conference slate with a doubleheader of intense competition at the Bama Bash Invitational.
The purple and gold fell in the first match of the day to a remarkably talented Houston (10-2) squad, 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-19). Tech then took on tournament host and winner Alabama (8-4), dropping a 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-23) tilt to the Crimson Tide.
In the day's opener, Tech fought back-and-forth with the Cougars in the first set, rallying late from a three-point deficit to tie things at 24-24. Houston held on, in the end, to take the early lead and used a late, 6-1 run in the second set to claim a 25-20 victory and 2-0 advantage. In the deciding game, the Cougars built a quick lead and never let go, taking the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.
Middle blocker Taylor Dorsey paced the purple and gold on offense in the first match of the day, totaling seven kills with a .286 attack percentage. The junior also registered three block assists. Fellow middle Skylar Boom was effective on both offense and defense as well, turning in six kills and five total blocks with a .267 hitting percentage.
Defensive specialist Emma Osterbur tallied team-highs of 14 digs and three service aces while libero McKenna Young contributed 13 digs. Setter Ashley Hand delivered 24 assists as well as six digs.
Alabama built early leads in the first two sets of Tech's evening tilt in Tuscaloosa, claiming the sets 25-13 and 25-16. The Golden Eagles made a run in the third, keeping pace early and eventually taking a 14-12 lead.
Six straight points by the Crimson Tide provided the home squad with an 18-14 advantage, but Tech scrapped back and took a 23-22 lead of its own late in the set. Alabama responded with three consecutive points, winning the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.
Dorsey again led the Tech effort in the second match, posting a team-high eight kills with a .353 hitting percentage. She also produced a match-high four block assists.
Outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen collected seven kills to add to the mix while Young led Golden Eagles with 10 digs. Hand added 22 more assists to her total while also totaling eight digs.
The Golden Eagles kick off Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend, heading to Edwardsville, Ill. for a pair of matches with SIUE. Tech squares off with the Cougars on Friday, Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. CT and again on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2:00 p.m.
File photo by Jim Dillon
