Photo by: Brad Laux/Morehead State Media Relations
Skyhawk No. 1 Duo Of Bryant/Rushing Claim OVC Pair Of The Week Honors
4/21/2026 10:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – For the second time this season, the University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball program touts an Ohio Valley Conference Pair of the Week as Kayla Bryant and Riley Rushing earned that accolade today.
These two are the 11th different all-time Skyhawk tandem to win an OVC Pair of the Week recognition. This marks the fourth career OVC weekly honor for Bryant (all coming in the past two seasons) and second such award for Rushing (who won on March 25 alongside Dylan Sulcer).
Bryant and Rushing managed a flawless 3-0 record at the OVC Weekend at Morehead State, ending the regular season with a 5-3 overall record and 4-1 mark against league opposition (all at No. 1).
Bryant and Rushing opened last weekend's tournament with a 21-15, 21-16 triumph against Tennessee Tech's MK Roberts and Vivian RoBards on Friday. Later that day, Bryant and Rushing soared to a 21-12, 26-24 true road victory against Morehead State's ME Hargan and Bella Marita for the match-clinching point.
On Saturday, Bryant and Rushing's perfect weekend was capped off with a 21-19, 21-13 win over Lindenwood's Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti. That victory shot UT Martin up the conference standings into a tie for second place at 7-3 to close out the regular season.
Next up for the Skyhawks is the 2026 OVC Championship, which will be held on the UT Martin campus. The Skyhawks open the tournament with a matchup against Tennessee Tech at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 as the three-day, six-team event rolls on through Saturday, April 25.
These two are the 11th different all-time Skyhawk tandem to win an OVC Pair of the Week recognition. This marks the fourth career OVC weekly honor for Bryant (all coming in the past two seasons) and second such award for Rushing (who won on March 25 alongside Dylan Sulcer).
Bryant and Rushing managed a flawless 3-0 record at the OVC Weekend at Morehead State, ending the regular season with a 5-3 overall record and 4-1 mark against league opposition (all at No. 1).
Bryant and Rushing opened last weekend's tournament with a 21-15, 21-16 triumph against Tennessee Tech's MK Roberts and Vivian RoBards on Friday. Later that day, Bryant and Rushing soared to a 21-12, 26-24 true road victory against Morehead State's ME Hargan and Bella Marita for the match-clinching point.
On Saturday, Bryant and Rushing's perfect weekend was capped off with a 21-19, 21-13 win over Lindenwood's Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti. That victory shot UT Martin up the conference standings into a tie for second place at 7-3 to close out the regular season.
Next up for the Skyhawks is the 2026 OVC Championship, which will be held on the UT Martin campus. The Skyhawks open the tournament with a matchup against Tennessee Tech at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 as the three-day, six-team event rolls on through Saturday, April 25.
Players Mentioned
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 30
Tuesday, April 07
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 27
Tuesday, March 17
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 26
Tuesday, March 10
4-27-23 Beach Cruises in OVC Opener
Thursday, April 10