CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Sophomore Chyler Martin reached double figures in the kills column for the second straight match but the University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team fell in four sets to Jackson State (20-25, 18-25, 25-21, 16-25).

Martin put away a match-high 13 kills today for the Skyhawks while also ranking second on the squad with five digs. Rylee Key (nine kills) and Sophie Diouf (eight kills) also led UT Martin offensively as Ida Wiszomirska (22) and Reagan Hamm (17) combined for 39 assists. Abby Freund additionally chipped in a pair of service aces for the Skyhawks.

Lauren Mariscal recorded a career-best 21 digs today for UT Martin, who also received a match-high three blocks from Diouf.

Both sides jostled for momentum in the early stages of the first set before the Tigers went on a 9-3 run midway through the set. A kill by Carly Mueller trimmed the Skyhawk deficit to 21-18 but Jackson State was able to hang on for the 1-0 lead. The UT Martin trio of Key, Diouf and Martin each had three kills in the opening set.

The Tigers scored the first four points of the second stanza but the Skyhawks battled back to tie the score at 11-all after four consecutive UT Martin points came via a Martin kill. Yet another Martin rally killer helped keep the Skyhawks within striking distance late (18-17) but Jackson State would not relinquish its lead for the remainder of the set. Martin and Mariscal guided UT Martin with six kills and seven digs, respectively.

The Skyhawks never trailed in the third set as Mari Haas gave UT Martin a spark with three kills in the squad's seven points. After the Tigers crept to within one point late, back-to-back kills from Key ignited a 6-3 run as a solo block by Haas secured set point. Both Key (.800 hitting percentage) and Haas (.364) had four kills and no attack errors while Mariscal accumulated nine digs in the third set.

The Skyhawks raced out to a 4-1 lead to begin the fourth set but Jackson State soon answered with an 8-1 run to take its first lead of the stanza. Kills by Haas and Mia Saenz halted the Tiger run and temporarily got UT Martin back on track but the Skyhawks could not overcome their deficit. Haas was responsible for team-highs in kills (two) and digs (three) in the final set.
 

UT ARLINGTON 3, SIUE 2
UTSA 3, SIUE 2
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - SIUE Volleyball battled through a pair of five-set matches Saturday at the Razorback Invitational, falling to both UT Arlington and UTSA.

The Cougars opened the day against UT Arlington, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and claiming the opening set. SIUE then took a 2-1 advantage through three sets and came within one point of closing out the match in the fourth before the Mavericks rallied to force, and ultimately claim, the final set.

Sophie Robinson matched her career high with 17 kills, while Maddie Determan set a new personal best with 12 kills. Defensively, Anika Ivester continued her strong play at the net, recording six total blocks.

Against UTSA, Kennedy Pike led the way for the Cougars with nine kills, six blocks, and five digs. Freshman Georgia Bresnahan also made a positive impact, tallying six kills and a service ace in just her third collegiate match.
 

TOWSON 3, WESTERN ILLINOIS 1
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Western Illinois Volleyball team had early momentum, but ended up falling to Towson 3 sets to 1.

The Leathernecks were able to win the first set by a score of 25-22, after starting the set down 13-6. Western Illinois was able to get 5 service aces in the first set, which helped propel them to the victory in the set.

The second and third sets both ended with a final score of 25-19 in favor of Towson, although the Leathernecks led 10-9 in both sets.

The last set ended 25-17 in favor of Towson, although Western held a 14-13 lead before allowing Towson to go on an 8-0 run. The Leathernecks tried to fight back in the set, winning 2 of the next 3 points, but were unable to come out on top of the third set.

The Leathernecks were led in kills by Kennedy Adair with 9, but Melaina Hawblitzel and Maria Eduarda Pereira Tonella were not far behind with 8 and 6 respectively. Emilia Kouri also led the team with a .500 hitting %, while Grace Ulatowski led the team with 15 digs. Madelyn Norton and Jaleah Bauss had 16 and 14 assists respectively, which shows that the Leathernecks improved this game from their game against Missouri on the previous day.

Towson was led in kills by both Anna Rice and Evi Priniotaki, who each had 14, with Kaitlyn Moran having 30 assists to go along with that. Moran was also second on the team with 10 digs, only trailing Megan Platt, who had 12 digs herself. Towson had a team hitting % of .292, which was the higher total of the two teams for the game.
 

#22 TENNESSEE 3, MOREHEAD STATE 0
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Morehead State volleyball team battled but couldn't overcome an efficient Vol offense and the Eagles fell to the 22nd-ranked Tennessee Volunteers 3-0 (16-25, 18-25, 12-25) Saturday at the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn.

Morehead State (1-1) was led by Hollan Everett with six kills. Amelia Nott and Ella Warrick added three apiece.

Tennessee (2-0) was paced by freshman Morgan Williams with 12 kills hitting .360. Maggie Dostic added 10 terminations for the Vols.
  
In the opening frame, after Morehead State scored the opening point, Tennessee ran off six straight to gain control of the set. Everett led the Eagle attack with five kills in the opening frame with terminations on 10 swings for a .500 attack percentage.
 
In the second set, Tennessee ran out to an early 6-1 lead; Morehead State used a three-point run to cut the Vol lead to 8-6. The Eagles evened the score at 14-14 with a 5-1 run of their own. With the score tied at 16-16, Tennessee went on a 7-1 to control the set 23-17.
 
Tennessee turned up the wick in the final set: the Vols got to the technical timeout ahead 15-4 hitting an even .500 attack percentage into the break. UT finished the set out with a .500 attack efficiency.
 

WRIGHT STATE 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0
DAYTON 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0
DAYTON, Ohio - After earning a weekend opening win over Santa Clara, the Panthers dropped both matches on Saturday to conclude the Flyer Invitation & Wright State Classic. Eastern Illinois finishes the weekend with a 1-2 record. 

The Panthers opened the Saturday doubleheader with a loss to Wright State in a 3-0 setback. EIU battled the Raiders closely for the first two sets, including a 26-24 decision to begin the match. Eastern Illinois' rough start to each set was the difference maker as the Panthers trailed in all three sets at the 15-point media timeout. Wright State ran away in the close out set, outpacing the Panthers 25-10.  

Eastern Illinois struggled offensively, finishing with a .126 hitting percentage. EIU recorded only 30 kills compared to the Raiders' 50, while also producing just 27 assists. The Panthers' self-inflicted miscues were too large to overcome. EIU suffered 16 attack errors, eight reception errors, and two service errors.  

Defensively, Eastern Illinois was solid, totaling 40 digs and seven total blocks.  

Katie Kopshever provided a spark offensively, leading the team with 14 kills. Ariadna Pereles paced the defense with 13 digs, while Emma Hanson recorded four block assists. McKenna Morton added three service aces.  
 
EIU fell short, suffering a series sweep against Dayton in the final match of their weekend road swing. Eastern Illinois kept themselves within striking distance but was never able to climb over the hump. In set one, EIU held an 18-15 lead before allowing Dayton to surge past using a 5-0 scoring run to match the Panthers. The Flyers held the lead the rest of the way, winning the set opener 25-21. In set two, both teams went back-and-forth throwing punches, with Dayton holding the Panthers at arm's length. Trailing 15-11 heading in the media timeout, EIU was unable to disrupt the Flyers' momentum, losing 25-18. Dayton controlled the first half of set three, holding an early 9-3 lead, which grew to an 18-8 advantage. However, Eastern Illinois found a rhythm, using two separate 4-0 scoring runs, shrinking the deficit to within two (22-24). However, the Panthers' late rally felt short, losing set three 25-22.  

EIU struggled offensively for the second time on Saturday, hitting .138 with 16 attack errors. No Panthers had double-digit kills, as Kopshever finished with nine; Kaeden Foxx had 8, and Abana Teran totaled six.
 

UAB 3, TENNESSEE STATE 0
VALPARAISO 3, TENNESSEE STATE 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Tennessee State volleyball closed out its opening weekend with a pair of matches Saturday at the Chattanooga Classic. The Tigers faced UAB in the morning before returning to the court against Valparaiso in the tournament finale.

Tennessee State opened Saturday against UAB, falling in three sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20.

The Tigers battled through a back-and-forth opening frame that featured six ties and four lead changes. TSU recorded eight kills before UAB created separation late to take the set, 25-17.

Tennessee State remained within reach throughout the second set as the teams played through eight ties and four lead changes. The Tigers improved offensively with nine kills while hitting .147, but UAB pulled ahead down the stretch for a 25-18 decision.

TSU put together its strongest offensive performance of the match in the third, totaling 15 kills with four errors on 34 attempts for a .324 hitting percentage. The Tigers continued to battle before UAB closed the match, 25-20.

Sydney Robinson led the Tigers with 10 kills on 25 attempts while hitting .240. She added nine digs, two service aces and two block assists for a team-high 13 points. Wiktoria Jakubik followed with seven kills on .250 hitting and three block assists.

Triniti Jackson finished with 23 assists, eight digs, three kills, two aces and two solo blocks. Jordan Imperial led the defensive effort with 12 digs and added an ace.

Tennessee State returned to the court Saturday afternoon to close the tournament against Valparaiso. The Tigers fell in three sets, 25-15, 25-19, 25-17.

TSU opened the match with 10 kills as the teams played through two ties and two lead changes. The Tigers stayed close early before Valparaiso pulled ahead for a 25-15 win.

The Tigers continued to battle in the second frame, which featured four ties. TSU totaled nine kills before Valparaiso created separation and took the set, 25-19.

Tennessee State posted its best hitting percentage of the match in the final set, recording nine kills with four errors on 30 attempts to hit .167. Valparaiso eventually closed out the frame, 25-17.

Jakubik led TSU offensively with seven kills and added a solo block. Gabriella Blevins turned in an efficient performance with five kills on nine attempts and just one error for a team-high .444 hitting percentage. She also added a solo block and a block assist.

Jackson directed the offense with 26 assists while adding seven digs, one ace and a block assist. Imperial led the Tigers with 12 digs, while Sydni Poston and Robinson each finished with nine.
 

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BUFFALO 3, LINDENWOOD 1
ST. LOUIS - The Lindenwood women's volleyball team (1-1) fell by a score of 3-1 against Buffalo (2-1) at Chaifetz Pavilion on Saturday. The Lions were unable to sustain their momentum following a strong start.

The Lions fell behind 6-3 to begin the opening set but quickly found their footing and surged ahead with a quick 5-1 run before growing their lead to as many as nine points and winning the frame 25-18. Ashley Geluck led Lindenwood in scoring with three kills and a block.

After narrowly dropping set two by a score of 25-23, the Lions held a 20-17 advantage in the third set before Buffalo ended the frame on an 8-2 run to prevail 25-22 and gain the upper hand in the match. The Lions were unable to recover in set four, falling 25-22 to suffer their first loss of the 2026 season.

Three Lindenwood players finished the match with double digit kills, led by Lauren Ortwerth with 11 terminations. Susanna Beretti and Kylee Richey followed closely behind with 10 kills apiece.

Richey added five blocks to bring her scoring total to a team-leading 13 points. Meanwhile, Autumn Bax registered nine kills, one block, and a service ace for 10.5 total points while adding a team-high 14 digs.

WESTERN KENTUCKY 3, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 0
#25 OREGON 3, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri volleyball fell to the No. 25 ranked Oregon in a 3-1 match at Houck Field House on Saturday evening, with set scores of 14-25, 14-25, 25-20, and 21-25. SEMO posted a team-high .306 attack percentage in the third set to secure its lone set victory of the match.

The first set commenced with Marin Johnson quickly leveling the score for the Redhawks (0-3) with a kill, assisted by Alaina Lester, after an initial attack error. Despite efforts from Reagan Nelson and Lucy Arndt, who each contributed critical kills, SEMO struggled to maintain momentum as service errors and a series of effective plays from the Ducks widened the gap. The set concluded with the Redhawks trailing, as Oregon secured a 25-14 lead.

Southeast Missouri faced challenges in the second set, with Oregon building an early lead through a series of successful plays, including multiple kills by Valentina Vaulet. The Redhawks responded with key plays from Arndt, who contributed with kills and aided in narrowing the gap. Despite a service ace from Johnson that brought hope, the Ducks maintained their momentum, closing the set with a decisive sequence. The set concluded with Oregon leading 25-14.

SEMO seized momentum early in the third set with Arndt's effective serving, sparking a key run that included a service ace and forcing multiple attack errors from the Ducks. Johnson contributed with consecutive kills, extending the Redhawk's lead to 6-2. Despite a pushback from Oregon, which narrowed the gap, Southeast Missouri maintained its advantage through multiple errors by Oregon and timely kills by Arndt and Paige Smith. As the set progressed, the Redhawks capitalized on attack errors and maintained pressure with effective blocks by Lester. The decisive kill by Ellie Burns, followed by a final kill from Arndt, concluded the set. SEMO closed out the set with a 25-20 win.

SEMO made a strong push in the fourth set with key contributions from Arndt, who recorded multiple kills, and Megan Holder, who facilitated several scoring plays. The team capitalized on a series of errors by Oregon, including attack errors and service errors, which helped them narrow the gap. Despite this effort, Oregon's offensive momentum with Laura Eichert and Dalia Vîrlan's consistent attacks proved challenging to counter. SEMO managed to trim Oregon's lead late in the set, highlighted by consecutive kills from Arndt and Nelson. However, Oregon's Valentina Vaulet secured the final point with a kill, concluding the set at 25-21 in favor of Oregon. The Redhawks saved five match points before falling.

Arndt led the team with 19 points, recording 17 kills on 36 attempts with a .444 hitting percentage. Holder contributed significantly with 16 assists and added seven digs to the defensive effort. Johnson tallied seven kills and added a block assist, contributing 8.5 points. Lester bolstered the defense with two solo blocks and a dig

Southeast Missouri volleyball fell to Western Kentucky  in straight sets, with scores of 25-20, 25-20, 25-20. SEMO recorded 37 kills and posted a .226 hitting percentage in the match.

The first set began with the Redhawks (0-2)  establishing an early lead, highlighted by assists from Megan Holder leading to kills by Alaina Lester and Marin Johnson. Despite a strong start, the Hilltoppers equalized at 6-6, with Alivia Skidmore scoring consecutive points. Faith Young played a pivotal role for the Hilltoppers (2-1), contributing multiple kills and a block, helping her team to pull ahead with a 21-15 advantage. Although SEMO rallied with points from Reagan Nelson and a service ace by Lucy Arndt.

The Hilltoppers edged out SEMO in the second set, 25-20, with key contributions from several players including a service ace by Nina Schuberth and kills by Reagan Nelson and Lester, the Hilltoppers maintained a slight edge. 

The Hilltoppers secured a decisive win in the third set, overcoming the Redhawks 25-20 to conclude the match. Marin Johnson's early kills helped Southeast Mo. St. maintain a narrow lead, but the Hilltoppers capitalized on crucial errors to turn the tide.
 

SOUTHERN INDIANA 3, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 0
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana finishes the opening weekend with a sweep over Northern Illinois University, ending the USI Invitational with a 2-1 record to start the season.
 
The Screaming Eagles took the court for the first set on Saturday for a strong start against the Huskies. Senior Ashby Willis added three kills and a team-leading six digs. Sophomore Carley Wright and freshman Aubrey Fair each contributed three kills to the USI offense. Sophomore Grace Bach added a strong defensive effort at the net with three blocks.
 
USI continued the set-one success with a strong second frame. Willis added eight kills to her tally and doubled her hitting efficiency (.280). From the middle position, Bach and sophomore Mackenzie Nettles added three kills together. Sophomore Aysa Thomas dished out a balanced offense, adding 11 assists.
 
Nettles and Bach each added kills from the middle in the final set. Willis tallied three more kills and two digs, while Wright added two kills and had a pivotal defensive performance, adding three digs.
 
Overall, the Screaming Eagles added five blocks as a team and 66 digs to keep the Huskies' offense at a .153 average. Willis led the team with 17 kills and 17 digs, her second double-double of the weekend, along with a solo block. Wright trailed close behind with 12 kills and 12 digs.
 
Thomas tallied 34 assists, nine digs, and a kill. Junior Audrey Small rounded out USI's back row action with 11 digs. Senior Aspen Jankowski came off the bench to add three aces tying her game-high from Friday night's game against Eastern Michigan University.
 
Willis and Wright were named to the USI Invitational All-Tournament Team for their performances over the three games. Willis tallied 54 kills for 4.91 per set and 35 digs with a high of 19 kills in the Friday night game against EMU. Wright recorded 44 kills, 31 digs, and eight blocks for the weekend. Wright met her 2025 game high of 18 kills in the match against EMU and set a new career high with 12 digs in the sweep over NIU.
 
As the winner of the USI Invitational, EMU contributed three players to the All-Tournament Team: junior outside hitter Bianca Salvador Cargnino, senior libero Surabhi Srinivasan, and senior middle blocker Azra Eric.
 
NIU's junior middle blocker Rylea Alvin and Murray State University's sophomore outside hitter Anne Makowski make up the rest of the All-Tournament selections.