BOX SCORE

MARTIN, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team got back on the winning track, downing the University of Tennessee at Martin in four sets on Friday night at the Skyhawk Fieldhouse.
 
The Colonels won by scores of 25-21, 26-24, 19-25 and 25-17.
 
After the break the Skyhawks found themselves down two sets and in a 16-11 hole, but responded with a 12-1 run to tilt the score back into UT Martin favor, 23-17. A block from Jemima Idemudia and Megan Fair and a kill from Jamie Rys spoiled the Colonel sweep and forced a fourth set, 25-19.
 
The squads took turn exchanging blows in the fourth set. With UT Martin down just one point, 15-14, Cassie Knutson came up with a kill to help EKU pour in six unanswered points and blow open the set, 22-14.  The Skyhawks would chip in three more points but putaways from Kaylin Johnson, Celina Sanks and Katelynn Caserma-Kloeble sealed the victory for the Colonels, 25-17.
 
Both teams played even-handed the first two sets with neither team having the clear advantage. Back-to-back kills from Knutson closed the first set, 25-21. The second frame seemed to be a copy of the first, going point-for-point down the stretch. Tied 24-all the Skyhawks made a crucial service error to give EKU set point, Knutson again put down the winning ball to take the set 26-24.
 
Knutson tallied her second triple-double of the season and led all players with 16 kills combined with 25 assists and 10 digs. Sanks notched her eighth double-double of the season with 16 kills and 14 digs. Maria Ferragonio contributed her first double-double of the season with 20 assists and 13 digs.
 
The Colonels hit a match-best .351 in set one and .222 in the second stanza.
 
Chloe Rojas led all players and matched her career-high 30 digs.
 
"Our defense, led by Chloe, was the difference coupled with aggressive serving," stated Head Coach Lori Duncan. "Winning on the road in a tough environment is important as we take steps to improve every week."  
 
Kaylin Johnson and Clairissa Hankinson pitched in four blocks apiece.
 
The Colonels are back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. against Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
 
EKU improves to 8-15 (6-3 Ohio Valley Conference) while UT Martin falls to 10-12 (4-5 OVC).