NASHVILLE — This Thursday and Friday, the Tennessee State Tiger volleyball team will head to Kentucky in search for their first Ohio Valley Conference road victory when they take on Morehead State (5 p.m. ESPN Plus for both games).
 
Two weeks ago, the Tigers dropped their first three road OVC matches falling to UT-Martin in four sets, then dropped two matches at SEMO. This past week, they swept Tennessee Tech at home winning in three sets on Thursday and four sets Friday.
 
"Winning on the road is tough, especially in conference play," said TSU head coach Donika Sutton. "Traveling to Morehead has always been a challenge. We look forward to seeing where we are playing in a tough environment against a good team."
 
Morehead has won the last five matches between the schools. Last season in their first match, the Tigers won the first set but fell in the final three. The second match was an instant classic. TSU won the first two sets before succumbing in the final three. Both matches were at Kean Hall.
 
The Matchup:  Tennessee State Tigers (6-10, 2-3 OVC) at Morehead State (6-9, 2-2 OVC
Date/Time: Thursday, October 6 || 5:00 p.m. (CST)
Date/Time: Friday, October 7 || 5:00 p.m. (CST)
Location: Familyleisure.com Court | Morehead, Kentucky
Watch Live
Live Stats

SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• Johanna Alcantara earned her second OVC Newcomer of the Week honor this week. The transfer from Lindsey Wilson College was instrumental in the Tigers going 2-0 for the week combining for 33 kills on 67 attempts in the two victories over Tennessee Tech. On Thursday, she had a team-high 18 kills and swung at a .452 rate for a total of 18.5 points. On Friday facing double team blockers for most of the game, she was able to contribute 15 kills and a service ace. She is now leading all OVC hitters in kills with 230 for the season.
• Gina Rivera-Ortiz has the most digs in OVC play with 117 and is second in digs per set with a 6.16 average.
• Kennedy Davis is leading the OVC in hitting percentage in overall games swinging at a .348 clip for the season.
• Gabrielle Johnson is leading in OVC play in blocks with 32 and blocks per set with a 1.68 average.
• The Tigers are carrying a strong defense with them. TSU is leading the OVC in blocks (55) block attempts (83) and digs (323) in conference play.

SCOUTING MOREHEAD STATE

• Senior setter Bridget Bessler is in fourth place in career assists at Morehead State (3,389). Bessler's 9.64 assists per set ranks second in the OVC.
• Irene Wogenstahl ranks second in blocks per set in OVC play (1.36).
• Morehead State is second in the OVC in digs per set (17.57) in conference play.