Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – A strong defensive effort led Eastern Kentucky to a 3-0 victory over Tennessee-Martin on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.  Five Colonels registered seven or more digs to limit the Skyhawks to a .045 attack percentage.
 
Set scores were 25-20, 25-22 and 25-21.
 
EKU improves to 15-7 this season and 5-1 in Ohio Valley Conference matches.  The Colonels also remain undefeated at home, moving to 4-0 in the friendly confines of McBrayer Arena.
 
Dena Ott led all players with 28 digs.  Freshman Mallory Maxwell added 10.  Julia Mindlina contributed nine digs while Johanna Boyer and Abbey Cvelbar finished with seven each.  Eastern Kentucky had six more digs (72-66) than UT Martin, limiting the Skyhawks to 30 kills in three sets.
 
Senior Alexis Plagens led the Eastern offensive attack with 13 kills.  She also had two aces, four digs and a block.  Rachel Vick had nine kills, only one error and a .364 attack percentage.
 
As a team, EKU totaled 46 kills and 24 errors in 145 attempts for a .152 attack percentage.
 
Emily Keaton had a match-high 15 kills for Tennessee-Martin (9-11, 2-4 OVC).
 
UTM cut a 7-point Eastern lead to three, 22-19, late in the first set.  A kill by Boyer gave the home squad set-point and moments later a kill by Plagens finished off the set 25-20.  The second set was close late as well.  A kill by Keaton and an EKU error got the Skyhawks within two, 23-21.  Vick answered with a kill for set-point and after UT Martin scored again, the junior finished off the set with a kill and staked her team to a 2-0 lead.
 
The same theme held true for the third set as well.  After a kill by UTM's Keaton, Eastern was in front by only one, 21-20.  The Colonels had a two-point lead when Ciera Koons registered a kill to reach match-point, 24-21.  On the next serve, Ott recorded an ace to end the match.
 
The 5-match EKU home stand continues Friday against Jacksonville State.  The match against the Gamecocks will start at 7 p.m.