CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Day 2 of the Ohio Valley Conference Weekend at Chattanooga resulted in two victories for the University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball team, who pushed its winning streak out to six following triumphs over Lindenwood (4-1) and Morehead State (5-0).
Eleven different Skyhawks saw playing time today while three pairs (Ryan Rednour/Addy Vaughn at No. 3, Haeleigh Paulino/Kristin Phillips at No. 4, Kayla Carrell/Reagan McGee at No. 5) each went 2-0 on the day. UT Martin also went 2-0 out of the No. 2 slot, occupied by Sydney Eckhardt/Dylan Mott against Lindenwood before Halle Everett/Mott made their season debut as a pair against Morehead State. The Skyhawks’ No. 1 tandem of Olivia O’Keefe/Jenna Vallée additionally earned a victory in the second match of the day against Morehead State.
UT Martin (9-5, 5-0 OVC) began its day with a near-sweep of the Lions, who entered the match with an 8-3 record and 2-0 mark in OVC play. Paulino/Phillips got things started with a 21-15, 21-15 victory while Carrell/McGee followed with a gritty 21-19, 17-21, 15-8 triumph. Rednour/Vaughn clinched the match-winning point after a 21-11, 21-16 decision before Eckhardt/Mott posted a 21-17, 21-17 victory – their team-best 10th win of the spring. The Skyhawks were close to the sweep but O’Keefe/Vallée were narrowly outlasted (18-21, 24-22, 15-11).
In the nightcap, UT Martin’s win over Morehead State led to the Skyhawks’ sixth straight win and 15th consecutive OVC triumph dating back to 2023. Paulino/Phillips once again set the tone, improving to 5-1 together with a 21-11, 21-16 win while Carrell/McGee soon produced a 21-13, 21-18 victory, moving to 6-0 on the season. O’Keefe/Vallée secured the match-winner and their sixth triumph of the season courtesy of a 21-10, 21-18 win before Rednour/Vaughn (21-17, 21-16 for their ninth win as a duo in 2024) and Everett/Mott (21-17, 21-17) dispatched their Eagle opponents.
UT Martin visits the Lone Star State next weekend for the 2024 Islander Classic. The Skyhawks will face Texas and tournament host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, March 29 before taking on UTEP and Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, March 30.
