By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – Kayla Carrell and Addison Conley, the standout No. 4 pair for the University of Tennessee at Martin, went undefeated but the Skyhawks dropped a pair of close decisions to North Alabama in beach volleyball action this afternoon.
Carrell and Conley provided wins in both matches today, improving to 14-1 on the season. UT Martin’s No. 1 duo of Dylan Mott and Karen Scanlon also added a victory in the second match today but unfortunately those were the only victories that the Skyhawks (10-5) could muster in their home finale.
The first match of the day was extremely tight before the Lions (12-10) managed the 4-1 win. Carrell/Conley got UT Martin on the scoreboard via a 21-15, 21-19 victory but North Alabama rallied to take the next four points – three of which lasted three sets apiece.
Brooke Kuball/Addy Vaughn forced a third set at No. 5 but fell 21-16, 14-21, 15-6. Haeleigh Paulino/Logan Wallick nearly came away with a victory at No. 3 but were defeated 21-13, 20-22, 15-13. At No. 2, Kambree Lucas/Hannah Phillips battled but fell 25-23, 21-13 while Mott/Scanlon fell victim to a comeback Lion win (18-21, 22-20, 15-12).
The Skyhawks tinkered with their lineup in the second match of the day, trying out some new combinations with a trio of first-time partnerships. The nightcap was another close affair but North Alabama claimed a slim 3-2 win.
Vaughn teamed with Audrey Haworth at No. 5 but the UT Martin duo barely fell by a 26-24, 21-18 margin. Carrell/Conley knotted the score at 1-all after an impressive 20-22, 21-18, 15-4 triumph out of the No. 4 slot.
At No. 3, Lucas/Paulino were defeated 21-13, 21-16 while the Skyhawk pair of Phillips/Wallick narrowly fell 21-18, 21-19 at No. 2. Mott/Scanlon soared to a 21-12, 21-14 triumph at No. 1 but the match had already been decided in favor of the Lions.
UT Martin will look to get back in the win column this weekend when it heads to the Govs Beach Bash in Clarksville, Tenn. The Skyhawks will face Eastern Kentucky (12 p.m.) and Jacksonville State (2 p.m.) on Friday, April 15 before facing Austin Peay (11 a.m.) and a yet-to-be-determined opponent (1 or 3 p.m.) on Saturday, April 16.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information