TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team ran into a hot Alabama squad this afternoon as the Skyhawks dropped a three-set decision (14-25, 9-25, 17-25) to the Southeastern Conference opponent to end the Crimson Tide Invitational.
For the third straight match, freshman Kylie Surratt paced UT Martin (1-2) in kills as the freshman from Maryland Heights, Mo. had four rally killers to go along with a co-team-high seven digs. Katie Cruise led the squad in assists (11) and digs (seven) while Dylan Mott additionally scooped up a team-high seven digs.
Alabama (3-0) used an extended run to claim the opening set, scoring nine of 12 points during an early stretch to seize control. Surratt topped the Skyhawks with two kills and five digs in the first stanza.
UT Martin kept pace during the early phases of the second set but the Crimson Tide ended the stanza on a 19-5 run. Cruise accounted for a team-best four digs in the set.
The third set was extremely competitive as 11 tie scores and six lead changes filled up the boxscore. A Crimson Tide service error gave the Skyhawks a 12-11 advantage but Alabama went on to score six unanswered points and UT Martin would not get any closer than five points the rest of the way. Vallée had a team-best three kills on a .400 hitting percentage (no errors in five swings) to lead the Skyhawks.
UT Martin begins a four-game homestand next weekend when it hosts the Skyhawk Classic. UT Martin will take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff and North Alabama on Friday, Sept. 6 before colliding against Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
