Skyhawks Come Up Short Against Little Rock

Tuesday, September 30

Martin, Tenn.

6 p.m.

UT Martin

1-12,0-2OVC

Little Rock

7-7,2-0OVC

Little Rock

UT Martin

Skyhawks Come Up Short Against Little Rock

9/30/2025 9:43:00 PM | Volleyball

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MARTIN, Tenn. – The 2025 home opener for the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball squad was spoiled by Little Rock as the Skyhawks fell in three sets (13-25, 19-25, 14-25) to their Ohio Valley Conference rival.

Kylie Surratt posted team-highs of 10 kills and six digs to go along with four blocks for UT Martin while Kayla Bryant (seven kills) and Ava Peters (15 assists in two sets) also paced the Skyhawk offense. Defensively, DyYanna Wade turned away a career-best five blocks while Dylan Sulcer equaled Surratt for a team-high with six digs.

A Surratt kill got UT Martin started this evening but Little Rock (7-7, 2-0 OVC) scored eight of the first 10 points in the opening set. The Skyhawks soon received five kills from five different players (Kristin Phillips, Peters, Surratt, Bryant, Chyler Martin) to pull within three points at 10-7. However, the Trojans followed with a 9-2 run on the way to a 1-0 lead in the match. Surratt had five kills and a .364 hitting percentage in 11 swings to lead UT Martin in the first set.

The second set featured eight tie scores and five lead changes. A trio of Phillips kills put the Skyhawks on top by a 7-6 margin early before back-to-back kills from Peters and Wade kept UT Martin on top. Midway through the set, Little Rock went on a 12-4 run and despite a late Skyhawk charge, the Trojans were able to claim the middle set. Bryant's four kills on a .333 attack percentage was a team-best effort in the second stanza.

UT Martin block assists on consecutive possessions – first by Surratt and Ella McFarland then by McFarland and Maddy Gladson – got the Skyhawks on the scoreboard in the third set. Despite that, Little Rock began the final set on an 11-3 run. Three consecutive UT Martin points came via block assists to shave its deficit to 15-9 but that was ultimately as close as the Skyhawks would get the rest of the way. Wade (three), McFarland (three), Gladson (two) and Surratt (two) each had multi-block performances for UT Martin in the third set.

The Skyhawks go on the road for their next two outings, traveling to OVC foe Lindenwood on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3. Both matches are slated to start at 6 p.m.