By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team began Ohio Valley Conference play this evening, falling 3-0 to Eastern Illinois (14-25, 19-25, 20-25) in front of 732 fans in Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
Tonight’s match was also the home opener for UT Martin (2-9, 0-1 OVC), who could not establish a rhythm early before making things close in the final two sets. Ultimately, the visiting Panthers improved to 12-1 (2-0 OVC) after hitting .255 with only 11 attack errors for the match.
Olivia Saunders guided the Skyhawks with a team-high eight kills (on a .217 hitting percentage) and match-high four blocks, three of which were solo. Kayla Bryant added seven kills and nine digs while Addy Vaughn (15 assists) and Haeleigh Paulino (10 assists) once again split duties at setter.
Kayla Carrell topped UT Martin in digs for the second consecutive match, recording 13 scoops to lead the way. Dylan Mott chipped in nine digs and a match-high two service aces for the Skyhawks.
Despite a slow start, Saunders had a match-high four kills on four swings in the opening set. UT Martin sided out at 64 percent (16-of-25) in the second stanza but a crucial 7-1 run midway through the set led Eastern Illinois to a 2-0 lead in the match. Kristin Phillips provided a spark for the Skyhawks with four kills in five attempts while Carrell managed six digs in the second set.
Mott landed both of her service aces in the third set as UT Martin was within a single point as late as 19-18. However, the Panthers unreeled four consecutive points after that and the Skyhawks could not recover.
These two teams meet again tomorrow as first serve is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
