The UT Martin Skyhawks accomplished the sweep in the annual Skyhawk Classic, increasing their record to 5-6 and boasting a five-game winning streak.

To start the classic, the Skyhawks faced off against the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions. UT Martin defeated them in a 3-0 sweep, with junior middle blocker Luli Arcucci leading the team with 11 kills. Sophomore middle blocker Sophie Diouf had 10 kills of her own while sophomore middle blocker Carly Mueller recorded three block assists.

Shortly after the first game, the Golden Lions faced off against the West Georgia Wolves and were swept 3-0.

The Skyhawks fared well in their round-robin matchup against the Wolves, winning 3-1.

The first set was a close win for the Skyhawks, coming on top 25-23. In the second set, the Skyhawks kept their foot on the gas with a 25-15 set win. The Skyhawks lost their footing a bit in set 3, losing 20-25. However, they managed to seal the win in the fourth with a 27-25 nail-biter.

Mueller had an exceptional performance with 13 kills and seven block assists. Tied for kills with Mueller was junior opposite hitter Maddy Gladson. Junior defensive specialist Lauren Mariscal led the team in digs with 22.

Entering true play, the Skyhawks rematched against the Wolves and won 3-1 once more.

In the first set, the Skyhawks went down 15-25. The Skyhawks soon found a way to turn it around, striking back in the second set and winning 25-16. In the third set, the Skyhawks dominated the Wolves 25-13. They sealed it in the fourth with an easy 25-16 win.

Mueller was excellent defensively again with two solo blocks and five block assists. Diouf led the Skyhawks offense with 11 kills. Senior defensive specialist Dylan Sulcer led the Skyhawks in assists with 25, along with 13 digs in the match.

When asked about her value to the team, Sulcer said she was confident in both her and her team.

“I feel very confident and grateful,” said Sulcer. “I know no matter where I am out there on the court, I just try to bring the best energy and the best out of my teammates out there.”

Sulcer usually does not set for the team, but recently made a return to the role for the team.

“I’ve been a setter since I was 12, so coming back to that position recently has just been a gift, really just trying to get back into the hang of it,” said Sulcer.

In the final game of the classic, the Skyhawks faced off once more against the Golden Lions and dominated with a 3-0 victory.

Mueller had eight kills and two block assists in the final matchup and was named the tournament MVP. Also named to the All-Tournament team was Sulcer, who had two kills and eight digs in the game, as well as Gladson.

The Skyhawks feel great about their team heading forward into conference play. Part of this confidence is due to leadership and locker room chemistry. Fifth year middle blocker Mia Saenz gave her own insight into the Skyhawks’ locker room.

“I’ve been a captain since I was a sophomore here, but I think that recently in my junior year, I had more of a leadership role than before,” said Saenz.

Saenz had a seven-kill night against the Golden Lions in the final game.

“Honestly, I was just super competitive,” said Saenz. “My family was here, my friends were here, and I was just trying to give them a good show.”

Sulcer and Saenz then commented about conference play.

“Coming off of this weekend, in conference play, everyone starts from a clean slate,” said Sulcer. “So we’re super confident and we’re ready to get some wins. We’ve been focusing a lot on our identity as a team coming into this season, remaining who we are and performing to the best of our ability every time.”

“I think we’re super pumped,” said Saenz. “I think we’re really excited for this chapter. We got off to a rough start during the preseason, and I think we’re finally getting the in swing of things. I think we have a lot of good momentum.”

The Skyhawks had a rough start to the preseason, starting 0-6 before their five-game win streak.

“We’ve been kind of in a frustrated state of not being able to find where we need to be to win…I think that we all knew we had the right pieces. It was just a matter of finding where they needed to be together, kind of like a puzzle,” said Head Coach Jaclynn Wilson. “We’re really excited going into conference play; as far as I think, we’re building a lot of momentum. I think we’re gaining a lot of confidence.”

Wilson also spoke on the team as a whole.

“I don’t think you could find better people,” said Wilson. “We have a great group of girls who are really, really supportive of each other and super competitive. Everyone wants to be on the court. They’re constantly lifting each other up and wanting each other to be better. That’s hard to find. I think it’s a special group, and the feel in the locker room is really great right now.”

The Skyhawks visit the Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougars on Friday, Sept. 25 in Edwardsville, Illinois to start conference play.