By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball squad began the 2022 campaign today at the Governors Beach Challenge, narrowly falling 3-2 to Central Arkansas. The Skyhawks were also set to play tournament host Austin Peay this afternoon but the match was postponed to Sunday because of darkness.
UT Martin scored victories today at the No. 2 and No. 4 slots as both pairs were teaming up for the first time in an official capacity. Kambree Lucas and Hannah Phillips joined forces for a thrilling 21-17, 11-21, 17-15 triumph out of the No. 2 position while Kayla Carrell and Addison Conley earned a 21-14, 21-18 victory at No. 4.
The matchup at No. 5 was a back-and-forth affair as Audrey Haworth and Brooke Kuball – both making their Skyhawk debuts – barely fell by a 21-19, 27-25 margin. At No. 1, Dylan Mott made her collegiate debut teaming alongside Karen Scanlon but the UT Martin duo was defeated 21-14, 21-19. Haeleigh Paulino and Logan Wallick also represented the Skyhawks out of the No. 3 position but fell by a 21-17, 21-12 decision.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – All five University of Tennessee at Martin pairs claimed victories in the first of two matches at the Governors Beach Challenge this afternoon as the Skyhawks swept Jacksonville State 5-0 before barely falling 3-2 to Austin Peay.
UT Martin began its day by making short work out of its former Ohio Valley Conference foe, sweeping the Gamecocks for its first victory of the 2022 campaign.
Four of the five matchups went into decisive third sets against Jacksonville State. Brooke Kuball and Addy Vaughn outlasted their No. 5 opposition by a 23-21, 21-23, 15-5 score while Kayla Carrell and Addison Conley emerged victorious by a 19-21, 21-13, 15-7 margin at No. 4.
The Skyhawks’ No. 3 team of Haeleigh Paulino and Logan Wallick earned the clinching point after a 21-9, 19-21, 15-12 triumph. Dylan Mott/Karen Scanlon (21-19, 24-22) and Kambree Lucas/Hannah Phillips (21-17, 23-25, 15-10) also dialed up victories at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, for UT Martin.
A two-match sweep was nearly on tap for the Skyhawks as they raced out to a 2-0 advantage before the Governors rallied back to win the next three decisions – including a three-set nailbiter at No. 3 for the clinching point.
Carrell and Conley soared to their third win of the weekend as the undefeated No. 4 duo posted a 21-19, 21-12 victory. The UT Martin team of Kuball and Vaughn registered their second victory of the day with an impressive 22-24, 21-19, 15-6 win out of the No. 5 slot.
At No. 1, Mott and Scanlon battled but were defeated by a 21-19, 21-12 margin. Lucas and Phillips put up a fight at No. 2 but fell 21-10, 21-19 to set up the winner-take-all matchup at No. 3. The Skyhawk duo of Paulino and Wallick got off to a great start with a 21-12 win in the opening set but Austin Peay was able to complete its comeback with 21-16, 15-12 victories in the final two sets.
UT Martin returns to the sand on Wednesday, March 23 when it travels to Florence, Ala. for a double dual against North Alabama. The matches will begin at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information