MOREHEAD, Ky. – Graduate setter Haeleigh Paulino accumulated her 12th double-double of the 2023 season today but the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team fell in four sets (17-25, 25-21, 19-25, 19-25) at Morehead State.
Paulino collected 32 assists and 17 digs while also adding three kills, a match-best two service aces and a pair of blocks for the Skyhawks (8-16, 6-8 Ohio Valley Conference).
Olivia Saunders topped UT Martin with 11 kills today while also getting a hand in a match-high four blocks. The Skyhawks were additionally led by Kayla Carrell (team-best 19 digs), Dylan Mott (12 digs, match-high two service aces) and Kristin Phillips (match-best four blocks) on the defensive side.
The Eagles (14-11, 7-6 OVC) scored eight of the first 10 points of the match before UT Martin closed to one point at 16-15. However, Morehead State recovered to take the opening set.
The Skyhawks sided out at 68 percent (15 of 22 chances) in the second set, evening the match at 1-all. Paulino distributed 13 assists on UT Martin’s 15 kills before Carrell clinched the set with a service ace.
Like the first set, the Skyhawks faced an 8-2 deficit in the third stanza. The closest UT Martin could pull within was two points before the Eagles claimed a 2-1 advantage in the match.
The early stages of the fourth set were tight but Morehead State was able to go on a 7-2 run to create some separation. The Skyhawks surged to within three points (21-18) following a Saunders ace that forced the Eagles to burn a timeout but ultimately that was as close as UT Martin would get the rest of the way.
The Skyhawks have a bye week before holding their final two home matches of the season on Nov. 9-10 against OVC foe Little Rock.
