By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball squad soared to two more triumphs today to begin its participation in the Scenic City Showdown, defeating Ohio Valley Conference foe Chattanooga and previously unbeaten Carson-Newman by identical 5-0 margins.
With the victories, the Skyhawks improve to 14-6 overall and 6-0 against OVC competition. UT Martin has now won eight straight decisions, which passes a seven-match stretch from March 23 through April 1, 2022 for the program’s longest winning streak.
The Skyhawks’ victory over Chattanooga counted toward the league standings as UT Martin’s six OVC wins are tied for the most in school history (alongside the 2022 and 2021 squads) with four more league matches remaining on the 2023 schedule.
All 11 Skyhawks who saw playing time today went undefeated as UT Martin’s lineup consisted of Dylan Mott/Logan Wallick at No. 1, Kambree Lucas/Olivia O’Keefe at No. 2, Lucy Kaufman/Addy Vaughn at No. 3 and Haeleigh Paulino/Jenna Vallée at No. 4. Those eight all went 2-0 while Kayla Carrell (2-0) split time with Audrey Haworth (1-0) and Kayla Bryant (1-0) out of the No. 5 position.
Rolling to their third sweep over the Mocs in 11 days, the Skyhawks received their first point courtesy of Paulino/Vallée, who generated a 21-13, 21-9 win. Carrell/Haworth followed with a 21-12, 21-15 triumph before Lucas/O’Keefe provided the clinching point with a 21-15, 21-8 victory. UT Martin then outlasted Chattanooga in the final two matchups as Kaufman/Vaughn posted an 18-21, 21-15, 15-10 win before Mott/Vaughn capped off the sweep with a 21-15, 19-21, 15-12 triumph.
The Skyhawks then squared off against a Carson-Newman squad that entered with a 22-0 season record that included four wins over OVC programs. UT Martin made short work of the Eagles as Paulino/Vallée once again got things started with a 21-11, 21-16 victory. Bryant/Carrell contributed a 21-19, 21-12 win while Mott/Wallick earned the clincher after a 21-17, 21-17 triumph. Lucas/O’Keefe came away with a 21-10, 21-12 victory before Kaufman/Vaughn tallied their second 3-set win of the day (17-21, 21-11, 15-12).
One day after setting a school record for longest winning streak, the University of Tennessee at Martin tacked on two more victories to that tally today after a 5-0 triumph over Liberty and a 4-1 win over Eastern Kentucky at the Scenic City Showdown.
The Skyhawks (16-6) have now reeled off 10 consecutive victories, having not lost since March 18. UT Martin has won an astonishing 47 of its last 50 head-to-head decisions (.940 winning percentage) during its winning streak.
Once again, all 11 Skyhawks who earned playing time today chalked up at least one victory. Kambree Lucas, Olivia O’Keefe, Lucy Kaufman, Addy Vaughn, Haeleigh Paulino, Jenna Vallée and Kayla Carrell each managed 2-0 records on the day while Dylan Mott, Logan Wallick, Kayla Bryant and Audrey Haworth each contributed one win apiece.
UT Martin’s day began with a sweep over the Flames, beginning with a 21-12, 21-13 victory at No. 4 from Paulino/Vallée. At the No. 5 slot, Bryant/Carrell came away with a 21-10, 21-17 win before Lucas/O’Keefe’s 21-10, 21-11 triumph at No. 2 officially clinched the match for the Skyhawks. Mott/Wallick secured a gutsy 21-17, 21-18 victory at No. 1 while Kaufman/Vaughn (23-21, 21-11) sealed the sweep out of the No. 3 position.
Squaring off against the Colonels for the second time this season, UT Martin generated a season sweep over its former Ohio Valley Conference rival. Carrell/Haworth teamed up for a 21-15, 25-23 victory at No. 5 while Paulino/Vallée was responsible for a thrilling 21-15, 14-21, 15-10 win at No. 4. For the second time in as many matches, Lucas/O’Keefe made the win official with their clinching 21-18, 21-11 triumph at No. 2. Kaufman/Vaughn added another head-to-head victory at No. 3 (21-11, 23-21) while Mott/Wallick battled throughout but fell 21-19, 21-13 out of the No. 1 slot in the lineup.
The Skyhawks hold their final two home matches of the regular season on Tuesday, April 4 with a pair of matches. UT Martin will host North Alabama at 3 p.m. and Austin Peay at 5 p.m. at the Skyhawk Beach Volleyball Complex.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information