Webcast vs. Tennessee State I Webcast vs. Belmont I Live Stats vs. Belmont

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team will play its first two Ohio Valley Conference matches of the season this weekend. The Colonels will square-off against the OVC's individual leaders in points and kills as they face Tennessee State Friday and Belmont Saturday, both in Nashville, Tenn.

The Colonels (6-8) look to stop junior Naomi Wells and the Tigers of Tennessee State (3-7) Friday. Wells leads the OVC in kills, averaging 3.91 per set. The Tigers won their previous match against South Carolina State, 3-0. Friday's match is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.

On Saturday, the Colonels will take on Belmont (7-9). The Bruins are led by freshman, Jessica Vestal, who is behind, only Tennessee State's Wells in kills in the OVC. The Bruins won their most recent match in a 3-2 victory over UAB.

Eastern Kentucky will counter with junior Alexis Plagens and senior Ashley Edmond. The duo is tied for seventh in the OVC, both averaging 3.18 kills per set. Junior Dena Ott recorded a match-best 17 digs and Plagens posted 12 kills against No. 1 Penn State in last weekend's Penn State Classic. Ott is currently fifth in the OVC in digs, averaging 4.32 digs per set.

This weekend's matches will serve as the first of six consecutive conference matches for the Colonels.

Following the weekend conference opener, the Colonels will face in-state conference opponent, Morehead State, on Oct. 2.