Friday, August 25
Knoxville, Tenn.
3 p.m.
UT Martin
1-0,0-0OVC
3
vs
1
Marist
0-2,0-0MAAC
1
2
3
4
F
Marist
20
25
19
27
1
UT Martin
25
22
25
29
3
SKYHAWK VOLLEYBALL SOARS TO SEASON-OPENING VICTORY OVER MARIST
8/25/2023 6:22:00 PM | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball squad earned a hard-fought victory on Opening Day of the 2023 season this afternoon, dispatching the Marist Red Foxes in four sets (25-20, 22-25, 25-19, 29-27) as part of the Tennessee Classic.
The Skyhawks performed well on both ends today, hitting .214 as a team while providing a whopping 17 blocks against a Marist squad that won 18 matches and finished second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference a year ago.
Playing her first match in a little over 21 months, graduate middle blocker Olivia Saunders showed no signs of rust. The Mississauga, Ontario, Canada native tied a career-high with 17 kills on a .412 attack percentage while also chipping in seven blocks defensively. Six of her kills came in the decisive fourth set as UT Martin fought off set point on four separate occasions before rallying for the victory.
The duo of Haeleigh Paulino (match-high three service aces) and Addy Vaughn (five kills on a .455 hitting percentage, three blocks) each distributed 19 assists to keep the Skyhawk offense flowing smoothly.
Defensively, Dylan Mott registered a team-best 14 digs while Mia Saenz enforced the net with a match-high nine blocks – five of which came in the final set alone. Four UT Martin players rejected at least five blocks apiece, aiding the Skyhawks to a 17-6 advantage in that category.
Kayla Bryant tied her career-high in kills (eight) and digs (nine) while adding a career-best five blocks as part of a near double-double.
UT Martin returns to action for a pair of matches tomorrow as it takes on Texas State at 9 a.m. before squaring off against Tennessee at 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
The Skyhawks performed well on both ends today, hitting .214 as a team while providing a whopping 17 blocks against a Marist squad that won 18 matches and finished second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference a year ago.
Playing her first match in a little over 21 months, graduate middle blocker Olivia Saunders showed no signs of rust. The Mississauga, Ontario, Canada native tied a career-high with 17 kills on a .412 attack percentage while also chipping in seven blocks defensively. Six of her kills came in the decisive fourth set as UT Martin fought off set point on four separate occasions before rallying for the victory.
The duo of Haeleigh Paulino (match-high three service aces) and Addy Vaughn (five kills on a .455 hitting percentage, three blocks) each distributed 19 assists to keep the Skyhawk offense flowing smoothly.
Defensively, Dylan Mott registered a team-best 14 digs while Mia Saenz enforced the net with a match-high nine blocks – five of which came in the final set alone. Four UT Martin players rejected at least five blocks apiece, aiding the Skyhawks to a 17-6 advantage in that category.
Kayla Bryant tied her career-high in kills (eight) and digs (nine) while adding a career-best five blocks as part of a near double-double.
UT Martin returns to action for a pair of matches tomorrow as it takes on Texas State at 9 a.m. before squaring off against Tennessee at 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Team Stats
Marist
UTM
Kills
58
50
Errors
33
19
Attempts
148
145
Hitting %
.169
.214
Points
68.0
74.0
Assists
55
45
Aces
4
7
Blocks
6
17
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
5
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S/OPP
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