Tech volleyball, hitter Penrod look to break OVC losing streak with more determined play

Tech women’s volleyball team continued its losing streak with two back-to-back losses last Tuesday and Saturday.
The losses leave the current season record at 2-14 and 0-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Tech lost 3-0 against Jacksonville State University Sept. 25. They also lost 3-2 against the University of Tennessee at Martin Sept. 29.
However, junior outside hitter Natalie Penrod said the team is better than its record shows.
“Regardless of the outcome, we are making steps closer to being successful,” Penrod said. “As a team we just need to stay focused each day in practice and get better at the things we have difficulties with.”
Penrod said the team is close to turning the season around, and she can see areas where the team can improve.
“Even though our losses outweigh our wins, if we keep competing and play with heart, determination and passion, the pages will turn in no time,” Penrod said.
Senior middle blocker Kelsey Gray held the highest point average in both matches from last week. She scored 13.5 points against JSU and 16.5 points in the match against UT-Martin.
In an interview with TTUSports.com, head coach John Blair said the loss to UT-Martin Saturday could have been prevented.
“This loss will generate more focus on the areas that we still need to improve in,” Blair said. “There are still so many areas that need improvement, but that is in our control. We just made too many mistakes. We’re serving better and receiving better as a whole; our reception at critical times is still breaking down.”
Penrod said the volleyball team will be working hard this week to fix the mistakes of last week’s matches and will be looking forward to their matches this weekend.
“For our next match, I think we all need to dig in real deep and find the reason why we love what we do,” Penrod said.
The team’s next game is against Tennessee State University Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at TSU.