MARTIN, Tenn. – There’s been a noticeable change in the environment around the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team since the squad began its preseason practice schedule on Aug. 8.
After the 2022 Skyhawks captured the program’s first Ohio Valley Conference title in two decades, UT Martin fell short of defending its championship with an 8-20 campaign in 2023.
The desire to get back atop the OVC standings has ignited the Skyhawks throughout their preseason camp.
“I know personally, I’m extremely motivated,” said head coach Jaclynn Wilson, who is in her 10th season in charge of the UT Martin volleyball program. “I know the girls in the locker room were really disappointed with the way last season went and we don’t want to see that happen again. I think it was pretty simple – we got comfortable and it showed.”
Eight returners and four starters are back in the fold for the Skyhawks while 10 newcomers appear on the 2024 roster. That blend has provided a spark for UT Martin as it has made its final preparations for the season-opening Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Ala. this weekend.
“It’s really exciting and fresh in our gym right now – the energy is great,” Wilson said. “This time of the year, you expect that but this time around it just feels different – the girls have been ready to put their heads down and work. We had some obstacles last year but these girls have shown they are ready to be selfless teammates and all work for the same goal.”
Headlining the Skyhawk returners is senior Dylan Mott, who was identified as an OVC “Player to Watch” last week. The Hendersonville, Tenn. native ranks fourth in school history with 1,369 career digs and is set to take over the full-time libero spot for the first time since 2022, when her 574 scoops ranked inside the top-25 in all of NCAA Division I volleyball.
Junior Kayla Bryant (second on the team with 258 kills and 22 service aces in 2023) started in all 28 matches last season at outside hitter. The junior duo of Mia Saenz (275 kills, 170 blocks in two seasons) and Kristin Phillips (132 kills last year) round out UT Martin’s returning starters.
Jenna Vallée logged 10 starts as a junior and has been one of the Skyhawks’ top players during preseason camp. Addy Vaughn (290 kills, 1,071 assists, 260 digs, 123 blocks in her career) joins Mott as the only returners with four years of UT Martin experience and has shown quality versatility this preseason. Senior libero/defensive specialist Josie Hess (19 matches played last season) and redshirt junior setter Hannah Haislip (21 career matches played while battling injuries the last two years) are returners who will look to contribute this fall.
Four transfers grace the Skyhawk roster in 2024. Katie Cruise comes to UT Martin from Appalachian State, where she led the team in assists (540), service aces (32) and sets played (109) a year ago. Zara McCauley brings four years of collegiate experience at outside hitter as she has spent the last two seasons playing at the NCAA Division II level. Amara Traiger is making the transition to the indoor game after playing the last two beach volleyball seasons at Stetson. Middle blocker Tess McConnell transferred from Kansas City and was projected to compete for extensive playing time but will be sidelined in 2024 because of a season-ending injury.
Six freshmen (one redshirt, five true rookies) will make their Skyhawk debuts this fall as that group of Dylan Sulcer, Abby Freund, Maddy Gladson, Ella McFarland, Makaelah Paulino and Kylie Surratt has caught the watchful eyes of the coaching staff over the last three weeks.
“Those six possess the highest volleyball IQ of any freshman class we’ve ever had,” Wilson said. “Their club and high school coaches have helped prepare them for this level. They’re obviously young but I think you’re going to see a lot of freshmen make an immediate impact on the court.”
The 2024 nonconference schedule includes two defending league champions (The Citadel, 27-4 as part of the Southern Conference; Kansas City, 22-9 as members in the Summit League) and another 20-win team (Southern Illinois) who made the postseason in 2023. Missouri also is coming off a NCAA Tournament appearance while North Alabama (17-12) and Missouri State (16-16) finished above .500 last fall. UT Martin will also square off against a pair of SouthWestern Athletic Conference foes in Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff before OVC play begins on Sept. 27.
“I have always felt strongly about playing the toughest competition we can to help prepare us for conference season,” Wilson said. “I do think there have been a few years where I have loaded us up and it had the reverse effect where I felt like we were a little beat down and not had the confidence that we needed going into conference. But I think this year with a lot of new girls, they haven’t had time to create that fear. We’ve been talking a lot about creating confidence in your training, your skills, in our team and our abilities. It’s a totally different team this year and I think we’re going to respond really well from the challenges of nonconference play.”
The 18-match OVC regular season slate runs through Nov. 20 before the 2024 champion will be crowned at the OVC Tournament, which takes place this year on Nov. 24-26.
“We’re ready to get back to the top,” Wilson said. “It was a really hard pill to swallow last year. We’re hungry – there’s a lot of talent in our locker room right now and chemistry is another big key. When teams have chemistry, it doesn’t matter if they’re having an off night – they still can be really hard to beat. We can’t wait to get back out there and compete.”
