CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A stretch of three matches in five days for the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team concluded this afternoon as the Skyhawks fell by a 3-0 margin (20-25, 17-25, 23-25) at Southeast Missouri.
UT Martin (4-13, 2-5 Ohio Valley Conference) could not shake off a slow start in the opening set despite Kayla Bryant compiling four of the team’s 10 kills in the first set. The Skyhawks held a lead in the middle stages of the second stanza but the Redhawks (13-4, 5-1 OVC) scored 14 of the final 18 points to take a 2-0 advantage in the match. Olivia Saunders slammed down six kills in the third set alone but Southeast Missouri was able to end UT Martin’s comeback attempt.
Bryant posted a match-high 12 kills today while Saunders accumulated 10 kills, six digs, a match-best four blocks and three assists. Addy Vaughn handed out a team-high 15 assists with four digs and three blocks while Haeleigh Paulino collected 13 assists and eight digs.
Kayla Carrell came away with a team-high 11 digs out of the libero position with Dylan Mott following closely behind with 10 scoops. Halle Everett tacked on a season-best three blocks – all solo – to guide the Skyhawks defensively.
UT Martin is back at home for four of its next five contests, starting with a two-match series against Western Illinois next weekend at Skyhawk Fieldhouse. First serve for Friday, Oct. 13 is set for 6 p.m. while the matchup on Saturday, Oct. 14 is scheduled for 2 p.m.