Trojans Fall to UT-Martin to Close Out 2022 Season

Thursday, December 1

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

18-13,11-5Sun Belt

University of Tennessee at Martin

23-11,15-3OVC

UT Martin

Troy

Trojans Fall to UT-Martin to Close Out 2022 Season

12/1/2022 8:40:00 PM | Volleyball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – A historic season came to a close Thursday night as the Trojans fell to UT-Martin in the first round of the NIVC Tournament in three sets (21-25, 23-25, 25-27) from Trojan Arena.

"Congrats to UT-Martin, they played well tonight," head coach Josh Lauer said. "It wasn't our night, but I'm very proud of this team and our season. This has been a tremendous season for Troy Volleyball, and I truly believe we made an excellent step forward as a team thanks to the hard work and dedication of our players. This group of seniors leaves a fantastic legacy, and the future is very bright. I also want to thank all our fans, families, and friends for supporting us all season long."

This was the first year Troy had not made it out of the first round, making it to the second round in each of the previous two years.

Troy will close out the 2022 season 18-13, and 11-5 in the Sun Belt Conference setting a program record for most conference wins in a season.

As she did all year long, Tori Hester led the Trojan offense with a match-high 19 kills and was followed by Amiah Butler with 17 kills, who finished her first year wearing the cardinal and white as one of the top freshmen in the conference.

As the Troy leader in career assists, Amara Anderson finished with a match-high 43, adding 13 for her 12^th double of the season.

UT-Martin continues its season and will face Southern Miss in the second round after being led by Karen Scanlon and her 12 kills. Despite finishing with four fewer kills than the Trojans, the Skyhawks hit .276 and had seven blocks.

Set One: The visitors led from start to finish, and the Trojans were unable even to see a tie in the set. A Butler kill got Troy within one after the media timeout, but UT-Martin was able to hold them off, stretching the lead to four late where it would finish and give the Skyhawks the set advantage.

Set Two: Troy looked for the equalizer in the second set, seeing a late three-point lead. With the score 21-18, the Skyhawks scored four straight to take the lead. The two teams traded points, but it was UT-Martin taking the set.

Set Three: Trojans battled, not wanting their season to end. With six ties and three lead changes, the third set went over 25 points. The Skyhawks fought off two set points to extend the match but couldn't close it out as UT-Martin survived the Trojan push to get the sweep. Each team totaled 17 kills and 16 digs in the set, but the Skyhawks hit .333 compared to the Trojan's .217.

Lauer and the Trojans still see their fourth consecutive winning season, which has never been accomplished before this year. With three All-Sun Belt Conference players, a program-high nine-game win streak, and numerous records broken, there is a lot to look forward to in 2023 and beyond.