By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball squad showed plenty of fight this afternoon but was outlasted in five sets by Oakland University (25-23, 23-25, 13-25, 25-23, 6-15) on Day 2 of the Saluki Invitational.
A pair of Skyhawks shined today as Jenna Vallée guided the team offensively while Kayla Carrell shored up the defensive attack. Vallée set career-highs in kills (16), hitting percentage (.239), service aces (three) and blocks (two) today on the way to a match-high 20 points. On the flipside, Carrell made plays all over the floor in her first start of the season as libero – more than doubling her previous career-high in digs with 29 scoops.
Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Bryant was responsible for her second double-double of the 2023 campaign today as she posted 10 kills, 13 digs, two service aces and a pair of blocks. Olivia Saunders (10 kills on a .308 attack percentage) additionally reached double digits in the kill column while tacking on a team-high four blocks (one solo).
Dylan Mott managed double figures in digs (10) for the seventh time this season while UT Martin’s setting duo of Haeleigh Paulino and Addy Vaughn combined for nine kills, 37 assists and 14 digs.
Today’s match included 37 tie scores and 19 lead changes. After the Skyhawks (2-8) sided out at 67 percent in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth stanza, a replay-overturned Halle Everett kill on the opening serve of the fifth set fueled UT Martin with early momentum. However, the Golden Grizzlies (6-5) generated six unanswered points and the Skyhawks would not get any closer than five points the rest of the way.
UT Martin opens Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend, coinciding with the program’s home opener. The Skyhawks will battle league rival Eastern Illinois for a two-match series, beginning with a Friday, Sept. 22 matchup at 6 p.m. Both matches next weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
