MATCH NOTES | ESPN+ (MATCH ONE | MATCH TWO) | LIVE STATS (MATCH ONE | MATCH TWO)

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Returning home after collecting a pair of straight-set sweeps at Austin Peay, Morehead State volleyball hosts Tennessee State for a two-game set at Johnson Arena.

The Eagles enter Sunday's series opener with the Tigers holding a five-game streak of sweeps, the longest stretch of sweeps for the program in the rally-scoring era (2000-present) while also being the longest streak since 1988. Morehead State has also captured 17 consecutive set victories—also the longest stretch for the program in the rally-scoring era.

Senior outside hitter Olivia Lohmeier and sophomore setter Bridget Bessler enter the week as the Ohio Valley Conference's Offensive Player and Setter of the Week. Lohmeier led the league last weekend with 30 total kills (5.00 KPS) while Bessler passed out 73 assists (12.1 APS), leading the Eagles to a .266 team hitting percentage.

Morehead State ranks 19th in the country in team hitting percentage, posting a .276 team efficiency this season. Redshirt freshman McKenzee Wagener leads the Eagles and ranks 24th in the NCAA with a .424 hitting percentage while sophomore Abby Hulsman enters after posting the seventh-best single-match hitting efficiency (.750; 9-0-12) in program history in match two at Austin Peay.

Defensively, the Eagles rank 17th in the country in limiting their opponent's hitting percentage, holding opponents to a .121 efficiency this season. In each of the past four matches and five of the six matches overall this season, Morehead State has held its opponent to a sub-.175 hitting percentage.

The Eagles also enter as one of the top service teams in the country, ranking seventh in the NCAA in aces per set, landing 2.32 winners per set. Overall, the team has landed an OVC-leading 44 aces this season.

The first match between Morehead State and Tennessee State is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. ET before the series concludes Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. Both matches air on ESPN+.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Records: Morehead State (6-0; 6-0 OVC) | Tennessee State (0-6; 0-6 OVC)
Series: Morehead State leads 56-13
Last Five Meetings: Nov. 1, 2019 (MOR 3, TSU 1) | Sep. 28, 2019 (MOR 3, TSU 0) | Nov. 9, 2018 (MOR 3, TSU 1) | Oct. 6, 2018 (MOR 3, TSU 0) | Oct. 27, 2017 (MOR 3, TSU 1)

NOTABLE
For the first time in the 2020-21 season, senior outside hitter Olivia Lohmeier and sophomore setter Bridget Bessler captured the Ohio Valley Conference's Offensive Player and Setter of the Week awards, respectively. Lohmeier led the conference with 30 kills (5.00 KPS) last week while Bessler passed out 73 assists (12.1 APS), leading the Eagles to a .266 team hitting percentage.
 
With her selection as OVC Offensive Player of the Week—by unanimous selection—Lohmeier claimed her ninth career OPOW honor. With the honor, she ties Ellie Roberson (2009-12) for the most OPOW honors in program history.
 
Add in a pair of OVC Newcomer of the Week honors, Lohmeier has captured 11 OVC weekly awards throughout her career. The total ties her for the most career OVC weekly honors in program history, equaling Cherelle Lampkins (2000-03).
 
Bessler's OVC Setter of the Week honor is the fourth of her career, which ties her for second-most in program history in the category. The honor also marks the seventh total weekly honor—three OVC Newcomer of the Week honors in 2019—of her career, a total that ranks sixth in program history.
 
With a pair of straight-set victories last weekend at Austin Peay, Morehead State has now swept five straight matches, doing so for the first time in the rally-scoring era of collegiate volleyball (2000-pres.) and the first time overall since 1998. The streak ties for the second-longest in program history.
 
Additionally, the Eagles have captured 17 consecutive sets; taking 18 of 19 sets overall this season. The stretch is the longest streak of consecutive set victories in the rally-scoring era and the fourth-longest in program history.
 
In the final match versus Austin Peay, sophomore right-side hitter Abby Hulsman posted the seventh-most efficient match in program history, hitting .750 for the match. She tallied nine kills with no errors in 12 swings.
 
Passing out 34 assists and recording 13 digs, Bessler picked up her first double-double of the season in match one versus Austin Peay. The double-double marks the 11th of her career after collecting 10 last season.
 
Bessler enters the weekend ranked second in the OVC and eighth in the nation in assists per set, passing out 11.53 helpers per set. She's also helped Morehead State to be one of the more efficient attacking teams in the NCAA, leading the Eagles to a .276 team hitting percentage, ranking 19th in the nation.
 
Lohmeier ranks atop the conference in both kills and points per set, averaging 4.58 kills and 5.34 points per set. She ranks 19th in the country in kills per set while ranking ninth in points per set.
 
Scooping up 116 digs in two matches last weekend, Morehead State's four defensive specialists and setter each recorded five or more digs in each match. In the second match, all five players recorded seven or more digs to lead the Eagles.
 
Over the past four matches and in five of six matches this season, Morehead State has held its opponent to a sub .175 hitting efficiency, holding Austin Peay to .090 and .102 in the two matches. On the season, the Eagles rank 17th in the NCAA in opponent hitting percentage, holding foes to a .121 hitting efficiency.
 
Landing 18 service aces last weekend, including 11 in the second match against Austin Peay, the Eagles enter the weekend as one of the top serving teams in the country. Morehead State ranks seventh in the nation in aces per set, landing 2.32 winners per set. The Eagles lead the OVC with 44 total service aces.
 
Leading Morehead State with 12 aces in 19 sets, redshirt junior Taylor Hodges ranks 26th in the NCAA in aces per set, averaging 0.63 per set.
 
Entering the weekend, redshirt freshman middle blocker McKenzee Wagener continues to ranks as one of the most efficient attackers in the OVC. Hitting .424 this season, she ranks second in the OVC and 24th in the country in hitting efficiency.