MARTIN, Tenn. – Several University of Tennessee at Martin players contributed with career- or season-best performances as the Skyhawk volleyball squad earned a 3-1 home victory over Ohio Valley Conference rival Western Illinois (25-16, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20) this afternoon.
UT Martin (5-14, 3-6 OVC) outscored the visiting Leathernecks by a 8-1 margin at the service line, establishing a season-high tally in aces. Four different Skyhawks pitched into the season-best total, led by a career-high four aces from Dylan Mott. Ryan Rednour came away with a season-best two aces and was joined by one ace out of both Kayla Bryant and Haeleigh Paulino.
Olivia Saunders announced her presence today as the 6-2 graduate middle blocker landed a match-high 15 kills on a .250 hitting percentage while also swatting away a season-best seven blocks (three solo).
Overall, five separate UT Martin players registered at least seven kills in an evenly distributed offensive attack. That list included Kristin Phillips (nine kills on a team-best .318 hitting percentage in three sets), Mott (career-high eight kills against just two errors), Bryant (eight kills) and Paulino (seven kills).
In addition to her seven kills, Paulino compiled her eighth double-double of the season with a season-high 40 assists and 17 digs. The graduate from Peoria, Ariz. also tacked on a career-best three blocks at the net.
Mott’s big day offensively (12 points) also included 20 digs, ranking just ahead of Kayla Carrell (19 digs) for a match-high in that category. Bryant added 12 scoops for the Skyhawks.
UT Martin ended the first set on a 9-2 surge, keyed by Saunders (four kills on eight swings) and Paulino (10 assists). Western Illinois (6-12, 5-3 OVC) scored six of the first seven points of the second stanza despite four blocks by Saunders in that set alone. Phillips (four kills) and Mott (three kills, two service aces, eight digs) paced the Skyhawks to the cusp of victory in the third set as UT Martin sided out at 71 percent (15-of-21 opportunities). The fourth set was knotted at 15-all but the Skyhawks accumulated seven of the next nine points as Saunders finished the final stanza with five kills.
A trio of OVC contests await UT Martin this week as the Skyhawks will travel to Tennessee State on Tuesday, Oct. 17. UT Martin will then host league foe SIUE on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21.
