By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
CHARLES, Mo. – Kayla Bryant powered the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball squad with her third double-double of the 2023 campaign as the Skyhawks recorded a four-set Ohio Valley Conference triumph (25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 25-21) at Lindenwood.
In UT Martin’s first-ever visit to Robert F. Hyland Arena was a successful one as the Skyhawks took down the Lions (6-8, 2-1 OVC), who entered the match as one of four undefeated teams in league play. UT Martin improved to 3-0 in the all-time series against Lindenwood, who is in its second season in the OVC.
A sophomore outside hitter out of Louisville, Ky., Bryant achieved team-highs in kills (15), hitting percentage (.364) and digs (16). As a whole, the Skyhawk offense hit .238 – their second-best output of the season.
Olivia Saunders added 10 kills to go along with two service aces and a team-high three blocks, dialing up 14 points in the process. Jenna Vallée (.357) and Mia Saenz (.315) each provided seven kills apiece with extremely efficient attack percentages.
Haeleigh Paulino (team-high 25 assists, 13 digs) accounted for her fourth double-double of the fall while Addy Vaughn (14 assists) and Hannah Haislip (four assists) also saw playing time this evening at the setter position.
Equaling Bryant for a team-high tally with 16 digs was Carrell, who landed the match-winning service ace in the fourth set. It marked the fourth consecutive match that the graduate from Pensacola, Fla. topped UT Martin (3-10, 1-2 OVC) in digs.
Tonight’s matchup featured 25 tie scores and 13 lead changes. The Skyhawks trailed 11-5 in the opening set but battled all the way to win, claiming early momentum. UT Martin hit .333 with 13 kills (against just four errors) in 27 swings in the second stanza. Saunders was responsible for team-high four kills and two service aces in the third set but Lindenwood was able to extend the match thanks to a set-ending 9-2 run. It was the Skyhawks who flipped the script in the final stanza, turning a 20-17 deficit into a 25-21 triumph to give UT Martin its first conference and road win of the 2023 campaign.
The Skyhawks and Lions wrap up their two-match series tomorrow at 5 p.m. live on ESPN+.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
