By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Ohio Valley Conference announced its first Pair of the Week honorees for the 2023 beach volleyball campaign Tuesday as the University of Tennessee at Martin duo of Kayla Bryant and Addy Vaughn shared the award.
The Skyhawks have now won the OVC Pair of the Week seven times out of 14 possible opportunities since the award was initiated in 2020.
The tandem of Bryant and Vaughn went a perfect 4-0 while competing out of the No. 3 slot during the season-opening tournament hosted by Missouri State in Ozark, Mo. Their unbeaten stretch was dominant to the point where their opponents averaged only 11.5 points per set.
Bryant/Vaughn officially began the 2023 season with a 21-17, 21-15 victory over Hendrix College, which was Bryant’s collegiate debut. They followed that with a 21-6, 22-20 triumph against McKendree.
The following day, Bryant/Vaughn authored a commanding 21-1, 21-6 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan before posting a 21-10, 21-17 victory over their opposition from Missouri State.
Tuesday’s announcement marks the first career OVC Pair of the Week honor for both Bryant, a Louisville, Ky. native, and Vaughn, a redshirt sophomore from St. Henry, Ohio. That duo aided UT Martin to a 3-1 overall record.
The Skyhawks return to Ozark, Mo. again this weekend, playing the likes of Eastern Kentucky, Missouri State, McKendree and Southwest Baptist on Friday, March 3 through Saturday, March 4.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information