By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fresh off a weekend that included a pair of victories over ranked opponents, the University of Tennessee at Martin beach volleyball program is starting to make waves nationally as it received six votes in this afternoon’s American Volleyball Coaches Association Collegiate Beach Coaches Top 20 Poll.
The Skyhawks were one of five teams pushing to crack the top-20, tying with Florida Gulf Coast for the second-most votes behind North Florida (38).
UT Martin is in the midst of a record-setting season under head coach Jaclynn Wilson as history seems to be made with each passing week. With at least five matches remaining on the 2023 schedule, the Skyhawks have already racked up a program record 20 victories. From March 21 through April 7, UT Martin unreeled 13 consecutive wins – nearly doubling the previous record of seven.
The Skyhawks turned heads on a national level this past weekend at the GSU Diggin’ Duals event held in Atlanta, Ga. UT Martin soared to a road victory at then-No. 11 Georgia State on Friday before notching an impressive neutral-site win against then-No. 20 Stetson the following day. That marked the first two victories over ranked opponents in school history.
Coming off a season where they became the first school to sweep the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships, the Skyhawks are bidding to repeat this spring. They are an unblemished 6-0 in the league standings and hold a two-match lead over the second-place team with four league matches remaining.
Three of UT Martin’s pairs have earned recognition at the conference level as the Skyhawks have combined to win five of the OVC’s seven Pair of the Week accolades in 2023.
Overall, 15 different UT Martin players have won 68.6 percent (96-44 record) of its head-to-head matchups this spring. That includes a 15-13 record (.536 winning percentage) at the No. 1 position, a 20-8 mark out of both the No. 2 and No. 3 slots (.714), a 22-6 record at No. 4 (.786) and a 19-9 mark at the No. 5 spot (.679).
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information