Tech selected fourth in OVC preseason release, three Golden Eagles recognized
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With its seventh season under the direction of head coach Jeannette Phillips just over a week away, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team was well represented by the Ohio Valley Conference in the league's annual preseason release announced Thursday morning, with three individuals recognized and the team selected among the best in the conference heading into the 2024 campaign.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With its seventh season under the direction of head coach Jeannette Phillips just over a week away, the Tennessee Tech volleyball team was well represented by the Ohio Valley Conference in the league's annual preseason release announced Thursday morning, with three individuals recognized and the team selected among the best in the conference heading into the 2024 campaign.
The Golden Eagles were selected fourth among the 11-team league in a poll voted on by OVC head coaches and sports information directors, earning 152 total points. Tech earned four first-place votes as well, falling behind just preseason favorite Southeast Missouri (167 points and six first-place votes), Eastern Illinois (166 points and five top votes), and Morehead State (163 points and five top votes).
"I always tell our players that preseason rankings are tricky," Phillips explained. "They are based on a team of the past, and no one, not even ourselves, knows what we might be capable of accomplishing. Being chosen to finish in the top five is right where we need to be. It allows us to feel the challenge of moving up in the rankings and the heat of others in the conference breathing down our necks. We're just excited to start competing soon."
During the 2023 season, the purple and gold battled back from a sluggish start to OVC play, one that saw Tech facing an uphill battle halfway through with a 2-9 mark. The Golden Eagles soared to the finish line, winning each of their final seven matches of the regular season to secure a 9-9 OVC record and the No. 6 seed in the league's postseason tournament.
Tech secured 13 or more wins for the third straight season, a first since 1997, 1998, and 1999. The Golden Eagles also tallied at least nine league wins for a program-record fifth consecutive season.
Also released Thursday morning was the 2024 Preseason All-OVC Team, featuring a familiar Tech duo that saw both preseason and postseason recognition last season. Senior outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen and junior setter Jordan Karlen were both selected to the list after turning in impressive campaigns last year.
Heading into her final season in Cookeville, Isringhausen will look to build off back-to-back seasons where she earned All-OVC First Team honors. In 2023, the Edwardsville, Ill. native led Tech in kills, kills per set, points, points per set, and service aces while ranking among league leaders in each category.
She joined the 1,000 career kill club last season and enters her senior campaign ranked in the top-10 in school history in points per set, kills per set, service aces per set, and service aces.
Karlen battled through an injury-plagued season and still claimed All-OVC Second Team recognition for her effort, pacing the purple and gold in assists and assists per set. The junior enters her third year closing in on the top-five in school history in career assists.
"Maddie and Jordan have been so consistent for us in the past," Phillips said. "They are great models of showing up, doing the work, and stretching themselves to be better than they were the day before. Having teammates like them as part of our group this year allows us to remain a strong unit. It'll be fun to see how they attack this season with so much talent alongside them."
New for the 2024 season, the league also named a player to watch for each of the 11 teams vying for the OVC crown. Rookie middle blocker Mallory Jenkins was selected as Tech's OVC Player to Watch, entering her first season at the Hooper Eblen Center with expectations of having an impact at the net.
Jenkins was a three-sport athlete at Fike High School in Wilson, N.C., earning a combined 12 varsity letters between her time as a middle blocker in volleyball, center in basketball, and defender in soccer. She earned All-Conference honors in all three sports and was an All-Region selection on the volleyball court. The future Tech middle registered 241 kills, rejected 100 opponent attacks, piled up 388 digs, and secured 37 service aces as a senior.
"Mallory has made an instant impact to our gym," Phillips expressed. "She carries herself as someone that has been at Tech for years and is gelling with our team in a very authentic way. We can't wait to have her compete as our season begins. She is bringing a lot of fun to our group and we can only see that growing as the season develops."
The Golden Eagles are slated to kick off the 2024 season with action in Memphis at the Carrie Yerty Classic. Tech will square off with former OVC rival Austin Peay in a 10:00 a.m. CT tilt and follow with a 7:00 p.m. match-up against host Memphis, both on Friday, Aug. 30. The event will conclude with a 10:00 a.m. affair with Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Aug. 31.
2024 OVC Volleyball Predicted Team Order of Finish
1. Southeast Missouri (6) - 167
2. Eastern Illinois (5) - 166
3. Morehead State (5) - 163
4. Tennessee Tech (4) - 152
5. Lindenwood (1) - 145
6. Southern Indiana - 97
7. UT Martin - 84
8. SIUE (1) - 83
9. Western Illinois - 74
10. Little Rock – 51
11. Tennessee State - 29
2024 Preseason All-OVC Volleyball Team
Lucy Arndt, Southeast Missouri
Keyana Cruse, Western Illinois
M.E. Hargan, Morehead State
Madolyn Isringhausen, Tennessee Tech
Jordan Karlen, Tennessee Tech
Catalina Rochaix, Eastern Illinois
Jessie Seidel, Lindenwood
Nyah Wilson, Lindenwood
Irene Wogenstahl, Morehead State
2024 OVC Players to Watch
Kaitlyn Flynn, Eastern Illinois
Allie Otten, Lindenwood
Bella Cherry, Soph, Little Rock
Peighton Isley, Morehead State
Sydney Hummert, SIUE
Abby Johnson, Southeast Missouri
Bianca Anderson, Southern Indiana
Sagaia Reilly, Tennessee State
Mallory Jenkins, Tennessee Tech
Dylan Mott, UT Martin
Maggie Craker, Western Illinois
Photos by Jim Dillon
