MARTIN, Tenn. – Dylan Mott moved into second place on the University of Tennessee at Martin all-time digs list this evening but the Skyhawk volleyball team fell in three sets to Morehead State (18-25, 19-25, 16-25).
A senior out of Hendersonville, Tenn., Mott had a team-best eight digs tonight to give her 1,609 career scoops – tying Chelsea Bowles (2012-15) for the second-most in program history behind UT Martin Hall of Famer Kasey Elswick (2,606 from 2009-12).
Kayla Bryant’s eight kills led the Skyhawks (3-10, 1-3 Ohio Valley Conference) while Katie Cruise was responsible for team-highs of 13 assists and two service aces. Kristin Phillips swatted away a team-best three blocks at the net to pace UT Martin.
The visiting Eagles (7-9, 3-2 OVC) scored 11 of the first 15 points of the match before a pair of Jenna Vallée kills helped the Skyhawks pull within five points at 18-13. Bryant provided two kills in the span of three UT Martin points to keep the margin at five points late (23-18) but Morehead State was able to score back-to-back points to take the 1-0 advantage. Bryant had four kills to top the Skyhawks in the opening set.
The middle set featured nine tie scores and four lead changes. Phillips had a kill and a block assist to help UT Martin take a 3-1 advantage before a Dylan Sulcer kill kept the Skyhawks on top at 10-9. After the Eagles scored six of the next seven points, UT Martin eventually trimmed its deficit to 17-15 following a Josie Hess service ace. However, Morehead State responded with four straight points on the way to a 2-0 lead in the match. Bryant once again led the Skyhawks in kills (three) in the second stanza.
Addy Vaughn and Vallée each had early kills in the third set but the Eagles unreeled a 12-2 run that led to a 16-5 UT Martin deficit. Cruise soon landed back-to-back service aces while Maddy Gladson tacked on two kills and a block assist down the stretch but the deficit was too large for the Skyhawks to overcome.
UT Martin will look for a season split against Morehead State tomorrow when it faces off against the same Eagles squad on ESPN+. First serve is set for 2 p.m. inside Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
