MARTIN, Tenn. – Playing for the first time in 12 days, the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team could not find a rhythm this evening as the Skyhawks fell in three sets (19-25, 20-25, 18-25) to Little Rock.
Olivia Saunders led UT Martin in kills for the ninth time this season (seventh time in Ohio Valley Conference play) as the senior from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada delivered nine kills on a .250 hitting percentage. She also added a team-high three blocks and five digs for the Skyhawks, who are now 8-17 overall with a 6-9 mark in OVC play.
Jenna Vallée registered seven kills on the evening while Addy Vaughn came away with a team-high 11 assists. Dylan Mott was responsible for two of UT Martin’s four service aces but the Skyhawk offense hit .052 with 32 total errors (21 attack, eight service, two blocking, one setting) in their first match off a bye week.
On the defensive end, Kayla Carrell piled up a team-best 10 digs as she was followed closely behind by Haeleigh Paulino (nine) and Mott (seven). Kayla Bryant added two blocks on the night but Little Rock (8-18, 5-10 OVC) hit .263 as a team.
The Trojans scored four of the first five points of the match but UT Martin came all the way back to claw within one point (18-17). However, Little Rock recovered to score seven of the final nine points in the opening set. Carrell had six digs in the first set alone to guide the Skyhawks.
The second set was the most competitive of the evening with seven tie scores and four lead changes. UT Martin trailed by five points (12-7) but came back to lead by a 19-17 margin, putting itself in prime position to even the match. Unfortunately, the Trojans wrapped up the set on an 8-1 run to snatch the momentum back. Saunders had four kills and two blocks in the middle stanza.
Little Rock led 15-4 in the third set but the Skyhawks soon fought back to close the gap to five points. However, the deficit was too large to overcome. Bryant led the way for UT Martin with three kills, a service ace and two block assists in the final set.
The Skyhawks have their home finale tomorrow as Carrell, Zoe Merriweather, Paulino, Ryan Rednour and Saunders will be honored during a pregame Senior Night ceremony at approximately 5:50 p.m. First serve against the Trojans will follow at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
