Friday, November 6
Martin, Tenn.
5 p.m.
UT Martin
10-15,5-9OVC
1
vs
3
Lindenwood
21-3,11-1OVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood | 19 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 3 |
| UT Martin | 25 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 1 |
11/6/2026 8:43:00 PM | Volleyball
MARTIN, Tenn. – A hot start on Senior Night was not enough for the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team as the Skyhawks dropped a tight four-set decision to Lindenwood (25-19, 12-25, 12-25, 24-26).
UT Martin recognized its three seniors (Riley Rushing, Dylan Sulcer, Mia Saenz) in a pregame ceremony and was off to the races, taking the opening set in convincing fashion. The Lions (21-3, 11-1 Ohio Valley Conference) won the next three sets despite the Skyhawks making a late to push to extend the match.
Rylee Key's 10 kills were a team-high for UT Martin, who is now 10-15 overall with a 5-9 OVC record. Maddy Gladson (nine kills) finished right behind Key while Sulcer distributed 29 assists to go along with seven digs, three kills, two blocks and a service ace. Saenz excelled defensively for the Skyhawks with five blocks while Abby Freund scooped up a team-high 10 digs.
UT Martin overcame a 3-1 deficit in the opening stanza thanks to a 6-0 run where Gladson had a hand in three of those points (two kills, one block assist). A Chyler Martin kill resulted in a 19-14 Skyhawk advantage before the Lions closed the gap to 19-18. UT Martin responded with four consecutive points to wrap up the stanza, receiving kills from Key, Rushing and Gladson before a solo block by Saenz on set point. Key (four kills on five swings, .800 hitting percentage) and Saenz (three blocks) paved the way for the Skyhawks in the first set.
Gladson and Saenz joined forces on a block assist on the opening point of the second set but Lindenwood used a 10-1 run to create some separation. A kill by Saenz ended the UT Martin drought while Gladson registered a pair of late kills but the Skyhawk deficit was too large to overcome. Gladson's three kills and three digs were both team-highs for UT Martin in the second set.
The Lions opened the third set on a 10-2 run. The Skyhawk duo of Saenz and Luli Arcucci muscled up for kills before Key tallied two late rally killers but UT Martin could not climb out of its hole. Key continued her strong performance with three kills on only five attempts (.600 hitting percentage) in the third stanza.
A total of 14 tie scores and six lead changes occurred in the final set. Arcucci's third kill of the stanza helped the Skyhawks take an 8-6 lead early. Just when momentum seemed to tilt towards Lindenwood's side after the visitors claimed an 18-13 lead, UT Martin charged back to tie the score at 22-22 following a Key and Sulcer assisted block. Rushing's third kill in a five-point span put the Skyhawks at set point (24-23) but the Lions ended the match with three straight points. Arcucci (five kills, .429 attack percentage) and Rushing (four kills, .500) led UT Martin in the fourth set.
An OVC bye week is next on the Skyhawk calendar as UT Martin will wrap up the 2026 regular season on Nov. 17-18 at Tennessee State.
UT Martin recognized its three seniors (Riley Rushing, Dylan Sulcer, Mia Saenz) in a pregame ceremony and was off to the races, taking the opening set in convincing fashion. The Lions (21-3, 11-1 Ohio Valley Conference) won the next three sets despite the Skyhawks making a late to push to extend the match.
Rylee Key's 10 kills were a team-high for UT Martin, who is now 10-15 overall with a 5-9 OVC record. Maddy Gladson (nine kills) finished right behind Key while Sulcer distributed 29 assists to go along with seven digs, three kills, two blocks and a service ace. Saenz excelled defensively for the Skyhawks with five blocks while Abby Freund scooped up a team-high 10 digs.
UT Martin overcame a 3-1 deficit in the opening stanza thanks to a 6-0 run where Gladson had a hand in three of those points (two kills, one block assist). A Chyler Martin kill resulted in a 19-14 Skyhawk advantage before the Lions closed the gap to 19-18. UT Martin responded with four consecutive points to wrap up the stanza, receiving kills from Key, Rushing and Gladson before a solo block by Saenz on set point. Key (four kills on five swings, .800 hitting percentage) and Saenz (three blocks) paved the way for the Skyhawks in the first set.
Gladson and Saenz joined forces on a block assist on the opening point of the second set but Lindenwood used a 10-1 run to create some separation. A kill by Saenz ended the UT Martin drought while Gladson registered a pair of late kills but the Skyhawk deficit was too large to overcome. Gladson's three kills and three digs were both team-highs for UT Martin in the second set.
The Lions opened the third set on a 10-2 run. The Skyhawk duo of Saenz and Luli Arcucci muscled up for kills before Key tallied two late rally killers but UT Martin could not climb out of its hole. Key continued her strong performance with three kills on only five attempts (.600 hitting percentage) in the third stanza.
A total of 14 tie scores and six lead changes occurred in the final set. Arcucci's third kill of the stanza helped the Skyhawks take an 8-6 lead early. Just when momentum seemed to tilt towards Lindenwood's side after the visitors claimed an 18-13 lead, UT Martin charged back to tie the score at 22-22 following a Key and Sulcer assisted block. Rushing's third kill in a five-point span put the Skyhawks at set point (24-23) but the Lions ended the match with three straight points. Arcucci (five kills, .429 attack percentage) and Rushing (four kills, .500) led UT Martin in the fourth set.
An OVC bye week is next on the Skyhawk calendar as UT Martin will wrap up the 2026 regular season on Nov. 17-18 at Tennessee State.
Players Mentioned
MB/OPP
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH/OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S/DS
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
Linden
UTM
Kills
52
40
Errors
19
27
Attempts
116
130
Hitting %
.284
.100
Points
65.0
50.0
Assists
48
35
Aces
4
2
Blocks
9
8
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
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