Thursday, October 9
Martin, Tenn.
6 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Western Illinois
Photo by: UT Martin University Relations
UT Martin Starts Four-Match Homestand This Week Against Western Illinois; Pink Out Set For Friday
10/8/2025 9:42:00 AM | Volleyball
MARTIN, Tenn. – A run of four consecutive home matches for the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball squad begins this week as the Skyhawks host Ohio Valley Conference foe Western Illinois at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 and 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Friday's match will serve as a "Pink Out" contest in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fans are invited to wear pink while donations will be accepted for breast cancer research.
UT Martin is 2-1 all-time against the Leathernecks inside Skyhawk Fieldhouse, winning by a 3-0 margin in 2022 before splitting a pair of decisions (lost 3-0, won 3-1) in 2023 – Western Illinois' first season competing in the OVC.
In two matches last season against the Leathernecks, Kylie Surratt slammed down 27 kills (3.86 per set) while UT Martin also received significant contributions out of Kayla Bryant (15 kills, 13 digs), Kristin Phillips (12 kills, team-best nine blocks) and Maddy Gladson (11 kills).
This week will serve as just the second and third home matches of the season for the Skyhawks, whose home opener came last Tuesday against OVC leader Little Rock. UT Martin is coming off a road series at Lindenwood where Bryant (27 kills, 3.86 per set), Surratt (two double-doubles), Ava Peters (9.43 assists per set) and Abby Freund (31 digs, 4.43 per set) led the way.
A trio of Skyhawks rank in the top-10 in the OVC in various statistical categories. Bryant leads the league and ranks 31st in NCAA Division I volleyball in service aces (0.51 per set) while Freund (3.86 digs per set, fifth) and Peters (8.06 assists per set, sixth) have dictated UT Martin's defensive and offensive attacks, respectively.
Western Illinois ranks 20th nationally with an OVC-best 1.81 service aces per set while also rejecting 2.15 blocks per set – the second-best mark in the league. Two-time All-OVC first team outside hitter Keyana Cruse (34 kills on a .304 attack percentage against the Skyhawks in 2024) had a pair of monster performances in a split against SIUE last weekend, generating 28 kills and 37 digs.
Links for live streams on ESPN+ and live stats for both matches can be found above.
Friday's match will serve as a "Pink Out" contest in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fans are invited to wear pink while donations will be accepted for breast cancer research.
UT Martin is 2-1 all-time against the Leathernecks inside Skyhawk Fieldhouse, winning by a 3-0 margin in 2022 before splitting a pair of decisions (lost 3-0, won 3-1) in 2023 – Western Illinois' first season competing in the OVC.
In two matches last season against the Leathernecks, Kylie Surratt slammed down 27 kills (3.86 per set) while UT Martin also received significant contributions out of Kayla Bryant (15 kills, 13 digs), Kristin Phillips (12 kills, team-best nine blocks) and Maddy Gladson (11 kills).
This week will serve as just the second and third home matches of the season for the Skyhawks, whose home opener came last Tuesday against OVC leader Little Rock. UT Martin is coming off a road series at Lindenwood where Bryant (27 kills, 3.86 per set), Surratt (two double-doubles), Ava Peters (9.43 assists per set) and Abby Freund (31 digs, 4.43 per set) led the way.
A trio of Skyhawks rank in the top-10 in the OVC in various statistical categories. Bryant leads the league and ranks 31st in NCAA Division I volleyball in service aces (0.51 per set) while Freund (3.86 digs per set, fifth) and Peters (8.06 assists per set, sixth) have dictated UT Martin's defensive and offensive attacks, respectively.
Western Illinois ranks 20th nationally with an OVC-best 1.81 service aces per set while also rejecting 2.15 blocks per set – the second-best mark in the league. Two-time All-OVC first team outside hitter Keyana Cruse (34 kills on a .304 attack percentage against the Skyhawks in 2024) had a pair of monster performances in a split against SIUE last weekend, generating 28 kills and 37 digs.
Links for live streams on ESPN+ and live stats for both matches can be found above.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
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/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
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