Skyhawks Come Up Short In Blue Raider Bash Finale; Wnetrzak Earns Spot On All-Tournament Team

Sunday, September 7

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

3 p.m.

UT Martin

0-5,0-0OVC

Middle Tennessee

4-2,0-0CUSA

UT Martin

Middle Tenn.

Skyhawks Come Up Short In Blue Raider Bash Finale; Wnetrzak Earns Spot On All-Tournament Team

9/7/2025 6:48:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Stats PDF

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Playing its third match in as many days, the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team fell to Middle Tennessee by a 3-0 margin (25-19, 25-21, 25-16) in its final appearance of the Blue Raider Bash.

Following the conclusion of the match, Skyhawk freshman opposite hitter Sienna Wnetrzak was named to the six-member All-Tournament Team. The Navarre, Fla. native hit a scorching .400 with just one error in three matches, dialing up 11 kills while adding four blocks in seven sets.

In its tournament finale today, UT Martin saw a trio of players register double-digit digs. Abby Freund scooped up a match-high 14 digs and was followed by Makaelah Paulino (10 scoops) and Kayla Bryant (10 digs). Carly Mueller put the finishing touches on her strong defensive weekend with a match-high three blocks at the net.

Bryant's seven kills led the way for the Skyhawks offensively, followed by Chyler Martin (six kills in her first collegiate start), Wnetrzak (six kills, .357 hitting percentage) and Mueller (five kills on a .400 attack percentage). Ava Peters made the start at setter and dished out 24 assists for UT Martin (0-5).

A kill by Kristin Phillips opened the scoring on both sides but the Blue Raiders (4-2) soon took a 9-2 lead. The Skyhawks came right back with a 10-5 run – thanks in large part to three kills out of Bryant – to pull within striking distance at 14-12. However, Middle Tennessee scored six of the next eight points on the way to taking a 1-0 lead in the match. Phillips had four kills in five swings (.600 hitting percentage) while Freund was responsible for six digs in the opening set.

Bryant had two early kills to help UT Martin claim a 5-2 advantage early in the second set. A block assist from Phillips and Wnetrzak opened up a 10-4 lead for the Skyhawks, who remained on top until an 8-3 Blue Raider surge resulted in a 15-14 UT Martin deficit. Mueller piled up two rally killers to whittle Middle Tennessee's lead down to 23-21 late but the Blue Raiders responded with back-to-back points. Bryant (four kills), Peters (nine assists) and Freund (six digs) led the Skyhawks in the middle stanza.

The third set included nine tie scores and six lead changes. Phillips and Mueller each had a kill with a block assist in the early stages of the set, leading to a 4-2 UT Martin lead. During one stretch of play, freshmen were responsible for seven out of eight Skyhawk points – led by three Martin kills that gave UT Martin a 15-14 advantage. However, the Blue Raiders unreeled seven unanswered points and the Skyhawks could not recover. Martin's three kills and Mueller's two blocks led UT Martin in the final set.

The Skyhawks play their next three contests in Memphis, Tenn. as they will take part in the two-day Carrie Yerty Classic. UT Martin will square off against Chattanooga (3 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 12 before taking on Lamar (11 a.m.) and tournament host Memphis (3 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 13.