TYLER, TEXAS - UT Tyler volleyball put together a strong all-around performance Friday night, sweeping Sul Ross State 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-16) inside the Herrington Patriot Center. The Patriots improved to 12-10 overall and 8-4 in Lone Star Conference play with the win, while limiting the Lobos to just a .184 team hitting percentage across three sets.
 
Junior outside hitter Autumn Perry continued her standout season, leading UT Tyler with 16 kills and 17 points while adding 17 digs to post a double-double. Perry's all-court effort set the tone early as the Patriots took control in the first set. The Patriots hit .226 in the opener, with five different players contributing offensively. Kailey Manes added a spark at the net with five kills on a .333 clip and a solo block, while setter Saige Rivera guided the offense with 18 assists and three service aces.
 
UT Tyler opened the first set on an 8-4 run and never looked back, forcing multiple Lobo attack errors to build momentum. Rivera's steady setting and serving helped the Patriots extend their lead, and a late push from Alyson Robbins and Kaitlyn Davis sealed the 25-17 frame.
 
The second set proved to be the most competitive of the night, featuring seven ties and three lead changes. Sul Ross State found rhythm offensively, hitting .238 and forcing UT Tyler to dig deep. Perry and Robbins combined for nine kills in the set, while Rivera and Riley Clinton combined for 17 assists to keep the attack balanced. After the teams battled to a 21-21 tie, the Patriots capitalized on a pair of Lobo miscues and a key Davis kill to edge ahead 24-22. Audrey Brandon closed out the frame with a kill from Rivera to give UT Tyler a 25-23 win and a commanding 2-0 match lead.
 
The Patriots put on a clinic in the third and final set, hitting their best percentage of the night at .282 while holding Sul Ross State to just .150. Robbins caught fire late, tallying five of her 10 kills in the frame and hitting an impressive .474 overall for the match. Freshman Sydney Atkinson made the most of her opportunity off the bench, contributing three kills on five swings without an error. Rivera and Drew Bridges orchestrated a smooth offensive flow, combining for 26 assists in the set. Defensively, Anna Arceneaux anchored the back row with 15 digs, helping UT Tyler limit Sul Ross to only 10 kills in the final frame.
 
Rivera finished with 18 assists and three aces, while Clinton added 14 assists and two aces. The Patriots as a team tallied 59 digs and six aces.
 
UT Tyler returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the Herrington Patriot Center as they welcome in Western New Mexico.