CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Eight of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s 10 pairings today went into tiebreaking third sets but the Skyhawks were outlasted by scores of 4-1 against UTEP and 3-2 against Stephen F. Austin at the 2024 Islander Classic.
Eleven different UT Martin players recorded decisions today as the Skyhawks switched up their No. 4 and No. 5 pairings inbetween matches. For the second consecutive day, the tandem of Kayla Carrell/Reagan McGee showed out as that duo won at No. 5 against UTEP before being elevated to No. 4 against Stephen F. Austin and emerging victorious once again. UT Martin’s No. 2 pair of Sydney Eckhardt/Olivia O’Keefe additionally came away with a hard-earned triumph against Stephen F. Austin.
The first match of the day could have literally went either way as four of the five matches were decided in third sets. The Skyhawks (9-9) won the first set in four separate matchups before a furious Miners rally ensued. Carrell/McGee generated a 21-14, 22-24, 15-12 triumph to give UT Martin some momentum. Dylan Mott/Jenna Vallée gave it their all but fell 19-21, 21-18, 16-14 at No. 1 while Eckhardt/O’Keefe were narrowly defeated (19-21, 21-16, 15-13) at No. 2. Ryan Rednour/Addy Vaughn went into the third set at No. 3 but fell 18-21, 28-26, 15-6 while the Skyhawks’ No. 4 team of Haeleigh Paulino/Kristin Phillips fell 21-16, 21-18 at No. 4.
Just like the first contest, the outcome of the Stephen F. Austin matchup was determined by the slimmest of margins as four pairings went to three sets. Eckhardt/O’Keefe got things rolling for UT Martin with a come-from-behind 15-21, 21-13, 18-16 win. Moments later, Carrell/McGee garnered their second win of the day via a 22-20, 17-21, 15-5 triumph. Unfortunately, the Ladyjacks came out on top in the other three decisions. Paulino teamed up with Dylan Sulcer for the first time this season but fell 13-21, 21-14, 15-9 at No. 5 while the No. 3 pairing also came down to the wire before Rednour/Vaughn fell 21-15, 16-21, 15-11. Mott/Vallée were entrenched in a back-and-forth battle at No. 1 but were defeated 21-16, 21-17.
The Skyhawks have a busy week ahead as they will travel to Ohio Valley Conference rival Chattanooga on Friday, April 5. UT Martin will then head to Columbia, SC for the Palmetto Invitational, facing Mercer (April 6), tournament host South Carolina (April 6) and UNC Wilmington (April 7).
