Key Brings Home Ohio Valley Conference Rookie Of The Week Accolades
9/28/2026 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Rylee Key, a freshman on the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team, was named the Ohio Valley Conference Rookie of the Week today.
Key becomes just the eighth different Skyhawk to be named OVC Rookie of the Week as that award was rebranded for the 2026 season from its previous title of Freshman of the Week. Key is the third different UT Martin representative to win an OVC weekly honor in the past two weeks, joining teammates Carly Mueller (Defensive) and Dylan Sulcer (Setter) on Sept. 21.
Hailing from Newbern, Tenn., Key was a force for the Skyhawks in their OVC-opening split at SIUE. She collected 23 kills (2.88 per set) on a .356 hitting percentage with 11 blocks (1.38 per set), three service aces and three digs.
The 6-2 middle blocker managed a career-best and team-high 12 kills on a scorching .500 attack percentage with four blocks in Friday's sweep over the Cougars. The following day, Key registered 11 rally killers to go along with a .259 hitting percentage, seven blocks, three service aces and a pair of digs in UT Martin's slim 3-2 setback.
Key currently ranks third in the OVC in blocks (0.88 per set) while ranking in the top-10 in the league in points (4.13 per set, third), blocks (1.38 per set, third), kills (2.88 per set, eighth), attack percentage (.356, eighth) and service aces (0.38 per set, 10th) in OVC play.
The Skyhawks are back in action on Friday, kickstarting a stretch of four consecutive home matches against Morehead State. UT Martin will take on the Eagles at 6 p.m. on Friday before a 2 p.m. first serve on Saturday inside Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
Key becomes just the eighth different Skyhawk to be named OVC Rookie of the Week as that award was rebranded for the 2026 season from its previous title of Freshman of the Week. Key is the third different UT Martin representative to win an OVC weekly honor in the past two weeks, joining teammates Carly Mueller (Defensive) and Dylan Sulcer (Setter) on Sept. 21.
Hailing from Newbern, Tenn., Key was a force for the Skyhawks in their OVC-opening split at SIUE. She collected 23 kills (2.88 per set) on a .356 hitting percentage with 11 blocks (1.38 per set), three service aces and three digs.
The 6-2 middle blocker managed a career-best and team-high 12 kills on a scorching .500 attack percentage with four blocks in Friday's sweep over the Cougars. The following day, Key registered 11 rally killers to go along with a .259 hitting percentage, seven blocks, three service aces and a pair of digs in UT Martin's slim 3-2 setback.
Key currently ranks third in the OVC in blocks (0.88 per set) while ranking in the top-10 in the league in points (4.13 per set, third), blocks (1.38 per set, third), kills (2.88 per set, eighth), attack percentage (.356, eighth) and service aces (0.38 per set, 10th) in OVC play.
The Skyhawks are back in action on Friday, kickstarting a stretch of four consecutive home matches against Morehead State. UT Martin will take on the Eagles at 6 p.m. on Friday before a 2 p.m. first serve on Saturday inside Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 15
Sunday, September 06
Wednesday, September 02
Tuesday, September 01