The women’s volleyball team hosted The University of Tennessee at Martin Tuesday at the Screaming Eagles arena. USI entered the match with a record of six wins and eight losses. They are looking to add some OVC wins to their name and build off of a good start so far.

The Skyhawks came into the game seeking a win, having a record of two wins and nine losses, losing the last seven in a row. To say they were desperate for a victory would be a severe understatement.

This fury and boldness were fully displayed during the first set; one would not have guessed they were 2-9 on the season coming into this match.

In fact, it felt like the game was at UT Martin based on their energy. USI’s Paris Downing, senior middle hitter, gained the first point with a kill, but after that, UT Martin never lost the lead. Six of UT Martin’s first eight points were errors made by USI. The Screaming Eagles’ energy was deficient, giving the Skyhawks more power as they sensed blood in the water. The final score of the first set was 25-15, putting UT Martin above.

UT Martin kept its energy going into the second set, earning the first point with a kill by Kayla Bryant, junior outside hitter. Shortly after, they created a 6-3 lead over USI, but that would be the last time they would have that big of an advantage in this set.

It was a close battle, but USI pulled ahead with the help of Downing, Ashby Willis, sophomore outside hitter, and Jasmine Green, senior right-side, all contributing four kills. The Screaming Eagles claimed this set, with the final score resulting in a 25-21 victory.

Unfortunately for USI, the third set looked similar to the first. After Downing attacked the ball and earned a point for the Screaming Eagles, the Skyhawks took it from there, never losing the advantage.

UT Martin’s Bryant was hard to stop with four kills in this set, contributing to her total of fifteen kills on the night, tying Kylie Surratt, freshman outside hitter. Surratt pitched in with three kills in this set. USI also suffered from its own mistakes. Ten of UT Martin’s 25 points were from errors on USI’s end.

UT Martin now leads 2-1 overall after winning set 3, 25-20.

It was like a new USI volleyball team stepped on the court for the fourth set. The energy was high, and you could see in their eyes that they were not about to give up. It was a close match initially, with USI ahead 12-11. USI called a timeout, and three big plays followed this.

UT Martin’s Bryant and Jenna Vallée, senior outside hitter, gave USI two points from attacking errors, followed by a kill from Downing, bringing the spark back. UT Martin called a timeout at this point. In the end, their efforts were not enough. USI forced UT Martin into a fifth set after winning set four 25-21.

Things started rough for USI. UT Martin went on a five-point run to start the final set, but USI has not yet waved the white flag. Again, Downing gave USI hope with a much-needed kill, leading to a four-point run for the Screaming Eagles. It was a close game after that. Even though there were only 166 people in attendance, it sounded like the arena was packed.

However, the tides turned in favor of the Skyhawks. UT Martin was down 9-8, but Vallée had four hits in five plays, enough to give UT Martin the energy they needed to make it to 15 first. Ultimately, the Skyhawks soared above 3-2, claiming the final set 15-13 and breaking their losing streak.

This match was an up-and-down performance for USI, who sometimes looked confident and composed but lacked discipline and resilience at other times. Jeffrey Aucoin, volleyball head coach, might use this match to motivate and inspire the team moving forward.

The Screaming Eagles will hit the road with two games against Eastern Illinois University this Friday and Saturday.