UT MARTIN VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO AUSTIN PEAY IN NONCONFERENCE FINALE; BAYLARK VOTED TO STACHEVILLE CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Saturday, September 17

Clarksville, Tenn.

1:30 p.m.

UT Martin

6-7,0-0OVC

Austin Peay

7-4,0-0ASUN

UT Martin

Austin Peay

UT MARTIN VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO AUSTIN PEAY IN NONCONFERENCE FINALE; BAYLARK VOTED TO STACHEVILLE CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

9/17/2022 6:03:00 PM | Volleyball

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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The nonconference portion of the University of Tennessee at Martin's 2022 volleyball schedule concluded today as the Skyhawks were defeated in three sets (17-25, 19-25, 16-25) by Austin Peay.

Logan Wallick led UT Martin in kills for the third time this season as the graduate from Waddell, Ariz. collected nine kills on a .250 hitting percentage. Kambree Lucas and Angel Baylark followed closely behind with seven kills apiece while Haeleigh Paulino handed out 22 assists. Dylan Mott (eight digs) and Baylark (four blocks – three solo) guided the Skyhawks defensively this afternoon.

Following the match, Baylark was named to the Stacheville Challenge all-tournament squad. The sophomore middle blocker out of Burlington, Iowa tallied 15 kills and eight blocks in three matches, bringing home her second all-tournament honor of her debut season at UT Martin (also winning accolades at the Skyhawk Invitational on Sept. 2-3).

The Governors began the match with six straight points before a kill from Mia Saenz got UT Martin on the scoreboard. Soon thereafter, Lucas went through a hot stretch where the sophomore from Brazil, Ind. piled up three kills in the span of four Skyhawk points to help spur a comeback. Saenz delivered a kill that capped off a 7-2 UT Martin run and whittled the Skyhawk deficit to 17-15. However, Austin Peay ended the set with eight of the final 10 points to go on top by a 1-0 margin. Lucas was responsible for a team-high four kills while Paulino distributed assists on 10 of UT Martin's 11 kills.

The Skyhawks raced out to a 4-2 lead in the second set as Mott (service ace) and Wallick (kill) each helped UT Martin get off to a good start. After the Governors evened the score at 6-all, Baylark swatted away back-to-back solo blocks to ignite a 5-1 surge that resulted in a 12-8 Skyhawk advantage. Austin Peay used a 9-1 run to go back on top but UT Martin wasn't finished, trimming a six-point deficit to four after a block assist out of Wallick and Saenz. The Governors responded with two straight points to claim the second set and a 2-0 lead in the match. Wallick had five of the Skyhawks' 11 kills in the middle stanza.

In the third set, UT Martin accounted for its best attack percentage (.259) of the day but it was no match for Austin Peay (.567 hitting percentage with 19 kills in 30 swings). Wallick slammed down yet another kill on the opening possession of the set but the Governors scored six of the next seven points. Baylark caught fire with three kills over a four-point stretch before back-to-back kills from Wallick. The Skyhawks began to build some momentum as a Saenz service ace willed UT Martin within a single point at 13-12. From that point forward, Austin Peay scored 12 of the last 16 points to end the match. The Skyhawk trio of Wallick, Baylark and Audrey Haworth led the way with three kills apiece for UT Martin in the final set.

The Skyhawks return home to open Ohio Valley Conference play, hosting in-state foe Tennessee State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20.