By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball squad dominated from start to finish, defeating North Alabama and Jacksonville State by identical 5-0 margins in nonconference midweek action.
The Skyhawks (3-2) won in convincing fashion, needing just two sets in nine of their 10 decisions. UT Martin used the same lineup in both matches as Dylan Mott/Karen Scanlon were paired up at No. 1 while Kambree Lucas/Hannah Phillips teamed up at the No. 2 slot, improving to 4-1 on the season in the process. Haeleigh Paulino/Logan Wallick represented the Skyhawks at No. 3 and was followed by the No. 4 duo of Kayla Carrell/Addison Conley, who ran their winning streak to five matches today. At No. 5, Brooke Kuball and Addy Vaughn extended their season record to 4-0 after a pair of triumphs.
Against North Alabama, Kuball/Vaughn scored a 21-16, 21-12 victory and was followed by a 23-21, 21-13 triumph from Carrell/Conley. The clinching point came out of the No. 2 position as Lucas/Phillips came away with a 22-20, 21-19 victory.
Mott/Scanlon (21-16, 21-10) and Paulino/Wallick (21-18, 21-17) tacked on wins for good measure.
In its second match of the day, UT Martin earned its second sweep over Jacksonville State in 10 days. Kuball/Vaughn were responsible for a commanding 21-7, 21-12 win before Carrell/Conley emerged victorious by a 22-20, 21-19 margin. This time, Mott/Scanlon provided the clinching victory at No. 1 courtesy of a 21-18, 21-14 win.
Wallick/Paulino accounted for a 21-13, 21-8 victory and the Skyhawks put the finishing touches on the sweep with an impressive 7-21, 21-18, 15-8 come-from-behind win from Lucas/Phillips.
UT Martin begins Ohio Valley Conference play with four matches this weekend in Chattanooga. The Skyhawks will take on Eastern Illinois (1 p.m.) and Chattanooga (5 p.m.) on Friday, March 25 before facing Morehead State (9 a.m.) and Austin Peay (1 p.m.) on Saturday, March 26.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information