By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Ohio Valley Conference co-regular season champion University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball team took a 2-0 lead in its postseason opener against Morehead State and never looked back, posting a 3-2 victory against the tournament hosts.
The No. 1 seed Skyhawks improved to 15-8 on the season thanks to victories out of the No. 3 through No. 5 positions in the lineup. Both of the first two matches went down to the wire in thrilling third sets but UT Martin came out on top in both results, taking a commanding 2-0 advantage.
At No. 5, Brooke Kuball/Addy Vaughn overcame an early deficit for an impressive 17-21, 22-20, 15-13 triumph, moving to 12-5 on the season while setting the tone for the day. A few minutes later, Kayla Carrell/Addison Conley broke through for a 21-19, 14-21, 24-22 victory – improving their record this spring to a remarkable 22-1.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard at No. 1 as the Skyhawk tandem of Karen Scanlon/Logan Wallick – teaming up together for the first time in 2022 – narrowly fell 24-22, 21-15.
UT Martin clinched the match soon thereafter, Kambree Lucas and Haeleigh Paulino posted their fourth win in five tries as a pair. They managed a 21-19, 21-19 triumph out of the No. 3 position.
The Skyhawks came close to nabbing a fourth point but the No. 2 tandem of Dylan Mott/Hannah Phillips – also joining forces for the first time this year – came up just short in a slim 21-11, 21-23, 15-12 setback.
With today’s win, UT Martin advances to the winner’s bracket where it will face No. 3 seed Chattanooga tomorrow. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CST at Fazoli’s Breadstick Beach.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information