JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team heads to Cookeville to face the newest member of the Southern Conference, Tennessee Tech, Friday and Saturday at the Hooper Eblen Center.
East Tennessee State (9-14, 7-5 SoCon) most recently fell in five sets at UNC Greensboro on Tuesday.
Elizabeth Aylward had a double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs as
Makayla Bays led with 17 kills.
Chloe Smith had a career-high seven blocks as
Gianna Blair had six.
Melanie Morris led with 15 digs as
Alex Kreutzmann had 23 assists.
Tennessee Tech (10-14, 6-6 SoCon) most recently fell in five to Chattanooga on Tuesday. Alayna Pierce and Jordan Milhouse led with 17 kills each as Morgan Petelin had 58 assists.
This will be the 16th all-time meeting of the two teams in a series that dates back to 1984. The Golden Eagles lead the series 11-4, with the last matchup being a 3-0 TTU win, Sept. 1, 2023.
For news and updates on the Buccaneers' 2026 season, follow the volleyball team on X and Instagram (@etsuvolleyball) or check back in on
etsubucs.com.
Match Points
- Lindsey Devine is in her 19th season at the helm of ETSU volleyball; her third consecutive season.
- Devine earned her fourth regular-season title last season; the eighth in program history.
- The 2026 squad consists of 11 returners, five freshmen, and one transfer.
- The reigning SoCon Player of the Year, Makayla Bays, was selected as a Preseason All-Conference selection after her standout sophomore campaign.
- Bays leads the team with 293 kills and 33 service aces. Alex Kreutzmann leads with 429 assists. Melanie Morris paces the squad with 316 digs as Gianna Blair leads with 94 blocks.
- The Bucs are second in the SoCon with 1103 team assists and fourth with 11.73 assists per set.
- Gianna Blair is third in the SoCon with 1.07 blocks per set and 94 total blocks. Makayla Bays is third with 33 service aces, seventh with 293 kills, and eighth with 3.12 kills per set, 338.0 points, 841 total attacks, and 15th with 231 total digs. Melanie Morris is sixth with 316 total digs.
Scouting report
- Tennessee Tech is first in the SoCon with 36.64 attacks per set and second with 1187 team kills and 3371 attacks.
- Alayna Pierce is second in the conference with 353 kills and 3.88 kills per set. Her 10.81 attacks per set, 387 points, and 984 attacks are third. Morgan Petelin is fourth with 9.60 assists per set and 4.25 points per set.
