Unbeaten Tech set to host Golden Eagle Invitational presented by Holiday Inn of Cookeville
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team will put its undefeated mark on display for its home faithful this weekend, playing host to its annual Golden Eagle Invitational presented by Holiday Inn of Cookeville on Friday and Saturday.
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Team Stats
Nicholls
Tennessee Tech
| Game Statistics | Nicholls | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .175 | .330 |
| Blocks | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Digs | 41 | 44 |
| Aces | 0 | 6 |
West Georgia
| Game Statistics | West Georgia | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .092 | .252 |
| Blocks | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| Digs | 47 | 64 |
| Aces | 4 | 8 |
Radford
| Game Statistics | Radford | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .237 | .280 |
| Blocks | 8.0 | 2.0 |
| Digs | 32 | 45 |
| Aces | 3 | 10 |
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech volleyball team will put its undefeated mark on display for its home faithful this weekend, playing host to its annual Golden Eagle Invitational presented by Holiday Inn of Cookeville on Friday and Saturday. The Golden Eagles represent one of just 28 teams nationally to still stand without a blemish on their win-loss record this season.
The purple and gold will welcome Nicholls, Radford, and West Georgia for a round-robin-style event, with four matches slated for Friday, Sept. 13 and two more on Saturday, Sept. 14. All six matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Dylan Vazzano, Mandy Thatcher, and Metz providing the calls for the weekend.
Tech will compete second and fourth matches on Friday, including a 12:30 p.m. CT affair with the Colonels and a 7:00 p.m. match-up with the Wolves. The Golden Eagles also conclude the event Saturday afternoon with a showdown against the Highlanders.
THE MATCHUPS
Friday, September 13 – Radford vs. West Georgia, 10:00 a.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Friday, September 13 – Tech vs. Nicholls, 12:30 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Friday, September 13 – Nicholls vs. Radford, 4:30 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Friday, September 13 – Tech vs. West Georgia, 7:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, September 14 – West Georgia vs. Nicholls, 10:30 a.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Saturday, September 14 – Tech vs. Radford, 2:00 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Video
Out of the Gates
Tech's 6-0 start to the year represents the best since the team opened the 1983 season with a 7-0 mark. The Golden Eagles have slung together five sweeps during the span, balancing a tough-nosed, 3-2 win over Towson. The win was particularly impressive considering the Tigers' 119-17 record since 2019 entering the match-up. The purple and gold captured the Charlotte Invitational crown while polishing off its second straight 3-0 weekend and tournament title.
Playing Outside
Senior outside hitter Madolyn Isringhausen continued her torrid start to the season, earning MVP honors for the second straight weekend tournament while leading Tech to the Charlotte Invitational title. The veteran averaged 4.36 kills per set while hitting .292 for the weekend, racking up eight service aces over 11 sets of action. She dropped a career-high 25 kills with 13 digs for her first double-double of the year in the win over Towson. Isringhausen climbed to eighth on Tech's career charts for service aces, landing 117 in her time in the purple and gold to pass Dee Dee Malone (1988-90).
Setting Things Up
Junior setter Jordan Karlen continued her consistent play for the purple and gold over the weekend, helping lead Tech to the Charlotte Invitational championship. Directing a dominant Tech offense, the Janesville, Wis. native averaged 10.45 assists per set and picked up two double-doubles during the week. Karlen moved into eighth on the Tech career list for assists, passing Melanie Culp (2007-10) and Nancy Meyer (2002-05) with 2,391 so far.
Freshman Focus
Rookie outside Alayna Pierce stormed onto the scene to close out the weekend at the Charlotte Invitational, taking over Tech's 3-0 sweep of Delaware State to clinch the title. The freshman led the match with 13 kills while hitting a robust .444 with four digs and two solo blocks. She ended the weekend with 20 terminations and a .395 attack in six sets of action.
Floor General
Senior libero McKenna Young picked up her first career All-Tournament nod while leading Tech to the Charlotte Invitational title, averaging 4.64 digs per set, including 26 in the win over Towson and 17 more against Delaware State. Young currently ranks third on Tech's career digs rankings, boasting 1,646 so far in her Tech tenure.
Ring the Bella
Senior outside Bella Powell also earned her first career All-Tournament nod with the purple and gold over the weekend, helping Tech to the Charlotte Invitational crown behind stellar offense. Powell averaged 2.91 kills per set while hitting an impressive .300 primarily from the right side. She added five total blocks to the mix as well.
Current OVC Rankings
A quick glance at where the Golden Eagles ranks among the OVC statistical leaders:
- Hitting Percentage – Isringhausen (5th - .321); Jenkins (8th - .286)
- Assists – Karlen (2nd - 10.40/set)
- Blocks – Jenkins (T-10th - 0.81/set)
- Kills – Isringhausen (2nd - 4.80/set)
- Service Aces – Isringhausen (1st - 0.65/set); Brooke Amann (3rd - 0.56/set); Aleeya Jones (5th - 0.45/set); Katie Green (10th - 0.38/set)
- Digs – Young (7th - 4.35/set)
- Points – Isringhausen (2nd - 5.55/set)
An Honored Group
A quick look at the honors picked up by the Golden Eagles in 2024:
- Madolyn Isringhausen
- Preseason All-OVC Team
- Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament Team
- Carrie Yerty Classic MVP
- OVC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 2)
- TSWA Volleyball Player of the Week (Sept. 3)
- Charlotte Invitational All-Tournament Team
- Charlotte Invitational MVP
- Mallory Jenkins
- Preseason OVC Player to Watch
- Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament Team
- Jordan Karlen
- Preseason All-OVC Team
- Carrie Yerty Classic All-Tournament Team
- OVC Setter of the Week (Sept. 2)
- Bella Powell
- Charlotte Invitational All-Tournament Team
- McKenna Young
- Charlotte Invitational All-Tournament Team
Up Next
Tech wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule next weekend at the Greensboro Invitational. The Golden Eagles will open play Friday, Sept. 20 against host UNCG in a 12:00 p.m. CT tilt before taking on Marshall later in the day at 3:30 p.m. The weekend concludes with a 10:00 a.m. session against Georgetown Saturday morning.
Photo by Jim Dillon
