MARTIN, Tenn. – Sydney Hummert, Priscilla Jones, and Jenna Taphorn registered double-digit kills against UT Martin, but the Skyhawks used a 7-1 run in the fifth set to upend the Cougars, 3-2 on Friday night at Skyhawk Fieldhouse. The set scores were: 25-15, 20-25, 24-26, 25-21, and 10-15.
SIUE falls to 10-10 overall and 4-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play. UT Martin improves to 7-14 and 5-6.
The Cougars took the opening point of the first set and never looked back, downing UT Martin 25-15 on a match-best .571 attack percentage with 17 kills. The Skyhawks regrouped to take back-to-back sets in the second and third to go up 2-1 before SIUE tallied 16 kills on a .364 hitting percentage to knot the match at 2-2. In the final set, UT Martin took advantage of four attack errors and three service errors to take the contest.
The Cougars wrapped the match with a .247 attack percentage while holding the Skyhawks' .188 clip. SIUE tallied 11 total blocks, 78 digs, and three service aces.
Inside the Numbers:
- Sydney Hummert was responsible for 14 of the Cougars' 61 kills while adding 18 digs for her sixth consecutive double-double. The outside hitter also added four blocks.
- Priscilla Jones collected double figures in kills (12) for the 11th time this season while leading SIUE with six solo blocks. The middle blocker also led the Cougars with a pair of service aces.
- Jenna Taphorn registered a career-high 11 kills and contributed two blocks. Paige Motgomery and Bree Schreimann added nine kills each while picking up multiple blocks.
- Abi Banitt paced SIUE's defense with a team-high 19 digs. The freshman leads the Cougars with 293 digs this season.
- Alyse Drifka picked up season best marks in assists (30) and digs (18) to cap off a double-double. She leads SIUE with 11 in 2023. Corinna Jones handed out 21 assists.
Up Next: SIUE and UT Martin will clash in the series finale on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:00 a.m.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEVolleyball on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
