Tech Volleyball heading to Birmingham for UAB Blazer Invitational
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After a successful weekend in Clarksville with the Tennessee Tech Volleyball team taking two out of three matches in the Stacheville Challenge, the Golden Eagles will venture southward as they head to Birmingham to compete in the UAB Blazer Invitational. Tech (2-1) will take on North Alabama at 10 AM on Friday, the host Blazers at 7 PM on Friday, then USC Upstate starting at noon on Saturday. Live stats are available for all three matches, while UAB will stream its match against Tech on ESPN+ (subscription required).
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Team Stats
Tennessee Tech
North Alabama
| Game Statistics | Tennessee Tech | North Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | 0.132 | 0.233 |
| Blocks | 3 | 7 |
| Digs | 69 | 62 |
| Aces | 12 | 5 |
UAB
| Game Statistics | Tennessee Tech | UAB |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | 0.165 | 0.402 |
| Blocks | 5 | 6 |
| Digs | 26 | 37 |
| Aces | 5 | 3 |
USC Upstate
| Game Statistics | USC Upstate | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | 0.391 | 0.247 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
| Digs | 64 | 54 |
| Aces | 3 | 4 |
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After a successful weekend in Clarksville with the Tennessee Tech Volleyball team taking two out of three matches in the Stacheville Challenge, the Golden Eagles will venture southward as they head to Birmingham to compete in the UAB Blazer Invitational.
Tech (2-1) will take on North Alabama at 10 AM on Friday, the host Blazers at 7 PM on Friday, then USC Upstate starting at noon on Saturday. Live stats are available for all three matches, while UAB will stream its match against Tech on ESPN+ (subscription required).
The Golden Eagles had great performances across the board last weekend, earning two Ohio Valley Conference weekly honors as graduate Bella Powell was named the league's Defensive Player of the Week with 10 assisted blocks and 25 digs, while also turning in 33 kills. Senior Jordan Karlen continued to stand tall at setter, collecting 112 assists over 11 sets for a 10.18 assist per set average to earn the Setter of the Week honor.
The strong efforts extended beyond those two as sophomore Alayna Pierce led the team in scoring with 51.5 points as she collected 45 kills and five assisted blocks. She also had 30 digs, four service aces and three assists. Freshman Tuva Falk ended the three-match set with 16 kills, a solo block and 12 assisted, as well as six service aces. Senior MK Roberts also had six service aces and a team-best 35 digs. Freshman Jordyn Milhouse also had a great debut weekend, compiling 17 kills and nine assisted blocks.
North Alabama enters the weekend with a 2-2 record, taking two of three matches last week at the Mississippi State Maroon and White Invite as the Lions swept Grambling 3-0 and topped defending Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champ Southeast Missouri 3-1. UNA fell to the host Bulldogs 3-0, then had a midweek loss to Alabama A&M on Tuesday with a 3-1 defeat.
Junior outside hitter Kendall Barnes leads the team with 48 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Dylann Garner collected 43. Sophomore setter Kinslee McGowan posted 139 assists last week, averaging 9.93 per set. Sophomore middle blocker Amelia Keating and Garner lead the team in blocks with eight and seven, respectively.
UAB went 1-2 last weekend at the Alabama Crimson Tide Invitational, dropping a 3-2 decision to Jacksonville, sweeping UNC Asheville 3-0 and then was swept by the hosts 3-0. Junior opposite Jorda Crook led the Blazers in scoring with 46 kills while recording seven blocks. Junior outside Mia Reese had 30 kills, while senior Izabella Carer had 55 assists to freshman Riley Lovell's 44 to lead the setters. Freshman middle Addyson Smock led UAB with 10 blocks.
USC Upstate went 2-1 last weekend at Memphis' Rumble at the Roane, falling to the Tigers in five sets before sweeping both Tennessee State and Northwestern State. The Spartans are coming off of a 3-1 midweek loss at home to Queens on Wednesday.
It's two dominant attackers for USC Upstate as senior middle Ady O'Grady had 54 kills and freshman outside Summer Kohler right behind at 53. Setter Kamyla Vega David posted 149 assists for a 9.93 average, while O'Grady also led the team in blocks with 12 – five solo and seven assisted.
The Golden Eagles will open up their home slate next week as Tech hosts the Golden Eagle Invitational presented by Holiday Inn of Cookeville as Wichita State, Radford and Samford come into the Hooper Eblen Center. All Tech Volleyball matches at the Hoop are free admission.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
