UT MARTIN VOLLEYBALL FALLS 3-1 IN EXHIBITION AGAINST NORTH ALABAMA

Saturday, August 18

Martin, Tenn.

3 P.M.

UT Martin

North Alabama

UT MARTIN VOLLEYBALL FALLS 3-1 IN EXHIBITION AGAINST NORTH ALABAMA

8/18/2018 5:55:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball squad raced out to a quick start in its exhibition match against North Alabama today but could not fend off the visiting Lions in a 3-1 setback (25-19, 17-25, 22-25, 23-25) at Skyhawk Fieldhouse.

Junior Hannah Phillips was UT Martin's most efficient performer offensively today, piling up 13 kills on a .250 hitting percentage. Gintare Mackeviciute produced a match-high 15 kills while Kenzie Hinshaw (21 assists) and Maddi Noble (20 assists) each performed well while sharing duties at setter.

Defensively, Brooke Gyori tied a match-high with 16 digs today while Justine Walker swatted a match-best six blocks at the net for the Skyhawks, who outhit North Alabama by a .152 to .146 margin but combined to make 53 errors (30 attack, 12 service, 11 blocking) on the day.

UT Martin led by as many as seven points (17-10) in the opening set, cruising to take a 1-0 lead in the match. Phillips produced five kills in eight swings while Hinshaw divvied out 16 assists in the first set alone.

Competing in its first season as a NCAA Division I member, North Alabama committed just one attack error in the second set on its way to evening the match at 1-all. Lindsey Geurin was responsible for a match-high four digs in the second set for the Skyhawks.

UT Martin took an 8-3 lead to start the third set but the Lions used an 8-0 run midway through the stanza to seize control and not look back. Gyori scooped up six digs to pace the Skyhawks in the set.

After the Lions took a 13-5 lead in the fourth set, UT Martin battled back to whittle its deficit to one point at 20-19 and 24-23 but North Alabama was able to halt the Skyhawk momentum. Mackeviciute slammed down a match-high five kills in the set while Noble generated team-highs of 10 assists and five digs for UT Martin.

The Skyhawks officially open the 2018 campaign at the Cardinal Classic in Louisville, Ky. on Aug. 24-25. UT Martin faces off against host Louisville and IUPUI on Day 1 of the tournament before taking on Southern Illinois on Day 2.