By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team ran into one of the hottest teams in the country today as the Skyhawks fell by a 3-0 margin (13-25, 14-25, 14-25) at No. 15 Western Kentucky on the final day of the Holiday Inn-University Plaza Invitational.
Following the match, UT Martin senior Addison Conley was named to the six-member all-tournament team. The London, Ohio native compiled a team-high 29 kills (2.64 per set) and 20 digs through three matches this weekend.
Conley came away with a team-best nine kills today while Haeleigh Paulino distributed 20 assists to manage the Skyhawk offensive attack. Baillie Kearns topped UT Martin in digs (10) for the fifth time in nine matches this season and Olivia Saunders turned away a team-high three blocks.
The first set started with back-to-back kills from Conley while her third kill in the Skyhawks’ first four points helped UT Martin even the score at 5-all. Paulino, Saunders and Zoe Merriweather contributed kills soon thereafter to help keep the Skyhawks within striking distance but the Hilltoppers wrapped up the set on a 13-4 run to take the opening stanza. Conley’s three kills in six swings led UT Martin to start out the match.
Conley was on a tear to begin the second set as well, collecting three straight kills to power the Skyhawks to a 4-3 advantage. Kills by four different UT Martin players (Olivia Lucia, Karen Scanlon, Audrey Haworth, Saunders) kept the lead in the Skyhawks favor at 9-8 but Western Kentucky responded with eight unanswered points. Another kill by Lucia put an end to UT Martin’s offensive drought but it wasn’t enough as the Hilltoppers accounted for nine of the final 13 points. Paulino assisted on all 11 of the Skyhawk kills in the middle stanza.
Western Kentucky (8-1) raced out to an 8-2 lead to start the third set but UT Martin rallied for a 6-3 run. Saunders and Paulino joined forces for a block assist to cap off the Skyhawk surge, which closed the gap to 11-8. Conley soon slammed down yet another kill as UT Martin battled to extend the match. However, the Hilltoppers wrapped up the match on an 11-4 run. Conley (three kills) and Paulino (four digs) guided the Skyhawks offensively and defensively, respectively, in the final set.
Next weekend, UT Martin closes out nonconference play when it takes part in the Tiger Brawl in Memphis, Tenn. The Skyhawks will take on Arkansas State (9 a.m.) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 17 before clashing against tournament host Memphis at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information