MARTIN, Tenn. – Freshman outside hitter Kylie Surratt slammed down a career-best 20 kills this afternoon but the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team fell by a 3-1 margin (20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 19-25) to first-place Lindenwood at Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
In addition to kills, Surratt also guided UT Martin in attack percentage (.375, just five errors in 40 swings), blocks (four) and service aces (one). The Maryland Heights, Mo. native also added seven digs for the Skyhawks (3-13, 1-6 Ohio Valley Conference) in a match that included 22 tie scores and 12 lead changes.
UT Martin’s setter duo of Hannah Haislip (22 assists) and Katie Cruise (double-double of 12 assists and 10 digs) helped the Skyhawk offense land 50 kills on the day.
Dylan Mott piled up a match-high 21 digs while Kayla Bryant secured 15 digs for UT Martin. Kristin Phillips joined Surratt with a match-high four blocks to form an imposing tandem at the net.
The Lions (14-7, 8-1 OVC) raced out to a 7-3 advantage in the first set and eventually led 14-10. The Skyhawks responded with five of the next six points to even the score at 15-all. Two more ties followed before Lindenwood ended the set with five of the last six points. Surratt had four kills (on six attempts) and two blocks while Mott scooped up six digs in the opening stanza.
Like the first set, the Lions gained early momentum courtesy of a 10-3 lead in the second set. Surratt went off for kills on three straight rallies to will UT Martin back within three points at 10-7. Lindenwood eventually went back ahead by seven points (21-14) but the Skyhawks showed fight – once again slicing their deficit to three after a block assist from Maddy Gladson and Addy Vaughn made the score 21-18. However, the Lions were able to close out the set and take a 2-0 lead in the match. Surratt’s five kills guided UT Martin in Set 2.
The Skyhawks staved off elimination with a clutch 26-24 triumph in the third stanza, which featured 11 ties and six lead changes alone. Neither side opened up a lead of more than two points until a solo block from Phillips made the score 14-11 in favor of UT Martin. Moments later, a Phillips kill stretched the Skyhawk advantage out to 18-13 but Lindenwood soon went on a 7-0 run. Facing set point from the Lions, UT Martin reeled off three consecutive points to extend the match to a fourth set. Surratt powered up for seven kills against no errors in the third stanza.
The Lions used a 10-2 run to overcome an early fourth-set deficit. The Skyhawks answered right back with seven of the next nine points as a Jenna Vallée kill closed UT Martin’s gap to 17-15. Surratt tacked on a pair of kills soon thereafter but ultimately the Skyhawk deficit was too large to overcome. Surratt had four kills on a sizzling .429 hitting percentage in the final set.
A five-match homestand wraps up on Tuesday, Oct. 22 when UT Martin plays host to OVC foe Southern Indiana. First serve is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
