MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball squad started its Ohio Valley Conference Weekend on a high note today, picking up a pair of 4-1 victories at the Skyhawk Beach Volleyball Complex.
UT Martin ran its home winning streak out to 11 matches today, improving to 13-15 overall with a 7-1 mark in OVC play.
The Skyhawks’ No. 1 pair of Olivia O’Keefe/Jenna Vallée and No. 2 duo of Sydney Eckhardt/Dylan Mott each went 2-0 today while the No. 5 tandem of Kayla Carrell/Reagan McGee also went unbeaten (1-0 to go along with a victory via forfeit). UT Martin also received one win out of the No. 3 (Ryan Rednour/Addy Vaughn) and No. 4 (Haeleigh Paulino/Kristin Phillips) slots in the lineup.
This morning against Eastern Illinois, the Skyhawks were fronted with a 1-0 advantage after Carrell/McGee won off a forfeit. Paulino/Phillips were outlasted in a tight battle (15-21, 21-17, 15-11) but Eckhardt/Mott soon posted a 21-16, 21-12 victory to give UT Martin a 2-1 edge. Rednour/Vaughn officially clinched the win with a 21-14, 21-10 triumph – their 12th victory of the season – before O’Keefe/Vallée tacked on a 21-17, 21-14 win for good measure.
The Skyhawks quickly took control of their second match of the day, earning the first four points against Morehead State. Paulino/Phillips notched their seventh victory of the spring courtesy of a 21-12, 21-17 decision before Carrell/McGee struck for their 15th win in 2024, collecting a 21-15, 21-18 victory. O’Keefe/Vallée delivered the clincher with their 10th triumph of the season (21-12, 21-15) while Eckhardt/Mott made short work of the competition with a 21-11, 21-10 win – their team-high 16th of the year. UT Martin nearly capped off the sweep with a valiant effort at No. 3 but Rednour/Vaughn fell 21-19, 18-21, 15-13.
The 2024 regular season concludes tomorrow as the Skyhawks host Tennessee Tech at noon before a 6 p.m. matchup against Lindenwood. A Senior Night ceremony honoring Carrell, Paulino and Vaughn for their career accomplishments will take place prior to the Lindenwood match. Both matches tomorrow will be streamed live on ESPN+.
