CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Three of the five beach volleyball pairings went into decisive third-set tiebreakers today between the University of Tennessee at Martin and Chattanooga but the Skyhawks were narrowly edged out, 3-2 at the UTC Sports Complex.
UT Martin’s winning pairs this morning included Kayla Carrell/Reagan McGee (No. 5) and Ryan Rednour/Addy Vaughn (No. 3). The host Mocs were able to claim the victory at No. 1 and outlasting the Skyhawks (9-10, 5-1 OVC) in three-set duels at both No. 2 and No. 4.
Carrell/McGee started off the day with their team-high 10th win of the season, posting a 21-17, 21-14 victory that gave the duo a 6-0 record in conference and UT Martin an early 1-0 advantage in the match. Haeleigh Paulino/Dylan Sulcer won the first set at No. 4 but fell victim to a ferocious Chattanooga comeback (19-21, 21-15, 15-7).
After the Skyhawks’ No. 1 pair of Dylan Mott/Jenna Vallée battled but fell 21-13, 21-16, it came down to the final two courts on the last wave of action. Rednour/Vaughn managed their co-team-high 10th win and improved to 6-0 in OVC play in the process after a hard-fought 16-21, 21-19, 18-16 triumph. UT Martin earned the first-set victory at No. 2 but unfortunately were defeated by a 17-21, 21-17, 16-14 margin that clinched the win for Chattanooga (7-8, 5-1 OVC).
The Skyhawks continue a busy weekend by making the 333-mile trek to Columbia, SC where they will take part in the Palmetto Invitational. UT Martin takes on Mercer (12 p.m. CT) and tournament host South Carolina (4 p.m. CT) tomorrow before wrapping up the event on Sunday, April 7 against UNC Wilmington (8 a.m. CT).
