ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – UT Tyler volleyball remained perfect on the season Friday afternoon, sweeping Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22), at the Reddie-Tiger Invitational. With the victory, the Patriots remain unbeaten through the opening seven matches of the year.
The Patriots opened the match with an early 2-0 advantage, getting kills from Melanie Merrill and Alyson Robbins. Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with a 7-0 run to take a 7-2 lead, but UT Tyler quickly settled in and began working its way back.
The Patriots pulled even at 12-12 after consecutive attack errors and a block from Makhai Lewis. The two teams continued to trade points throughout the middle portion of the set, with the score tied at 15-15 before UT Tyler began to create separation.
A kill from Merrill gave the Patriots an 18-16 advantage before Kate Christiansen and Maya Jones helped UT Tyler maintain its lead. With the set tied at 20-20, Kaitlyn Davis delivered a service ace before Kailey Manes followed with a kill to put the Patriots ahead 21-20. Jones then recorded back-to-back kills as UT Tyler closed the opening set, 25-21.
UAPB came out hot in the second set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. The Patriots answered their run by tying the game back up at 9-9 later in the set. From there Clinton sparked a strong stretch for UT Tyler with a service ace, followed by a series of Patriot points that pushed the lead to 14-10.
The Patriots pulled away late, scoring 8 of the final ten points to close out a 25-17 second-set victory and take a 2-0 match lead.
UT Tyler came out hot in the final set going up 7-1 to start. The Golden Lions eventually pulled even at 11-11 before Arceneaux's service ace and a pair of Patriot points pushed UT Tyler ahead 14-12.
UT Tyler continued to maintain the advantage throughout the remainder of the set, building a 21-15 lead after a kill from Lewis. Arkansas-Pine Bluff battled back to make it a three-point set at 22-19, but the Patriots remained composed down the stretch with a 25-22 win.
Manes led the Patriots with eight kills, while Atkinson added seven and Jones finished with six. Lewis recorded 5 kills and led UT Tyler with three blocks, while Jones added a block.
Clinton and Christiansen shared the setting duties with 16 assists apiece. Arceneaux led the defensive effort with 17 digs, while Christiansen added eight and Clinton recorded five. Clinton also led the Patriots with two service aces, while Davis and Lewis each added one.
UT Tyler finished the match with 42 kills, 40 assists, six service aces, three blocks and 51 digs while hitting .223 as a team.
The Patriots close out the Reddie-Tiger Invitational Saturday morning, facing Mississippi Christian at 9 a.m.
