Karlen claims OVC Setter and Newcomer of the Week honors for second time
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – A historic performance and incredible showing on the court lifted Tennessee Tech volleyball freshman Jordan Karlen to more weekly recognition from the Ohio Valley Conference Monday afternoon, with the league announcing the rookie as both its Setter of the Week and Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – A historic performance and incredible showing on the court lifted Tennessee Tech volleyball freshman Jordan Karlen to more weekly recognition from the Ohio Valley Conference Monday afternoon, with the league announcing the rookie as both its Setter of the Week and Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season.
Karlen, who picked up both honors for the first time back on Sept. 12, averaged a whopping 13.83 assists per set while quarterbacking the Tech offense to a strong .262 attack percentage as a unit. She piled up 83 total helpers with 16 digs, three blocks, and two service aces while helping the Golden Eagles to a perfect 2-0 start to OVC play over Southern Indiana.
In Friday's 3-0 sweep of the Screaming Eagles, Karlen delivered one of the best showings by a setter in program history, setting a new freshman program record for a three-set match in the rally-scoring era with an eye-popping 45 assists. That total ranked as the fourth-most during the rally-scoring era in a three-set match in school history as well. She also chipped in eight digs and three blocks to the mix.
On Saturday, Karlen backed up her superb performance with another, registering 38 more assists with a pair of service aces, and eight more digs in another 3-0 sweep of USI. With the honors, the Janesville, Wis. native became the first Tech freshman to collect multiple accolades in the same season since Stephanie Busch collected three Freshman of the Week honors back in 1997.
Karlen ranks second in the OVC this season in assists per set with a mark of 9.42. She also ranks second in total assists, compiling 424 in 45 sets so far this season.
The Golden Eagles hit the road for a pair of in-state match-ups against OVC rival Tennessee State later this week. Tech and TSU will square off on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6:00 p.m. in Nashville before wrapping up the week with another 6:00 p.m. tilt on Friday, Sept. 30.
Photo by Emily Armstrong
