By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The thrilling University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball winning streak was stretched out to a dozen matches today as the Skyhawks dialed up hard-fought victories over North Alabama and Austin Peay, winning each decision by 3-2 margins.
Competing in its final home tuneup before hosting the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Championship later this month, UT Martin improved to 4-0 at the Skyhawk Beach Volleyball Complex this spring. The Skyhawks, whose previous longest winning streak was seven games in 2022, have now unreeled 12 consecutive victories since March 21.
UT Martin had to earn both wins today as each match came down to the No. 1 pairing of Dylan Mott and Logan Wallick. The Skyhawks were able to exact revenge on both the Lions and Governors squads who have dealt UT Martin three of its six setbacks on the season.
Mott/Wallick and the Skyhawks’ No. 4 duo of Haeleigh Paulino/Jenna Vallée each went 2-0 on the day. Kayla Bryant/Kayla Carrell contributed a victory against North Alabama while Lucy Kaufman/Addy Vaughn pitched in a head-to-head win over Austin Peay.
UT Martin raced out to a 2-0 advantage against North Alabama as Bryant/Carrell (21-8, 21-15) and Paulino/Vallée (21-18, 22-24, 15-12) won at No. 5 and No. 4, respectively. The Skyhawks’ No. 2 team of Kambree Lucas/Olivia O’Keefe were defeated 21-12, 21-15 before Kaufman/Vaughn were narrowly edged out by a 17-21, 21-15, 15-12 margin at No. 3. All eyes then veered to the featured court as Mott/Wallick overcame a 21-9 loss in the first set and soared to 21-16, 15-13 wins to clinch the match.
After a Senior Day tribute to Audrey Haworth, Brooke Kuball and Wallick, the emotions were still stirring for the nightcap. Paulino/Vallée got UT Martin on the scoreboard via a 21-17, 14-21, 15-8 victory but Austin Peay was able to even the score after Carrell/Haworth suffered a slim 15-21, 22-20, 15-10 setback out of the No. 5 position. A 21-11, 21-18 triumph by Kaufman/Vaughn at No. 3 put the Skyhawks on the cusp of victory but the Governors charged back for a 21-16, 21-18 win against Lucas/O’Keefe at No. 2. Once again, the attention was shifted to the No. 1 pairings as Mott/Wallick battled back from a 6-2 third-set deficit to claim the 21-15, 19-21, 15-11 victory.
UT Martin’s next event is set for this weekend as the Skyhawks get the opportunity to showcase their talents against some of the best teams in the country. UT Martin heads to Atlanta, Ga. for the GSU Diggin’ Duals on April 7-8, taking on the likes of No. 11 Georgia State, UAB, No. 20 Stetson and No. 16 South Carolina.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information