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Volleyball wins home match against Evansville


A service ace was the perfect way for UTM junior Leigh Reiniche to finish up Tuesday night’s match against visiting Evansville.

Reiniche posted 23 kills and 11 digs to lead the Skyhawks to a 3-2 win over Evansville.

The Skyhawks improve to 2-12 on the year, while Evansville falls to 5-7.

Reiniche wasn’t the only Skyhawk to record a double-double against the Aces.

Seniors Heather Kea and Jamie Fitzwater matched their teammate’s effort with double-figure kills and digs. Kea had 13 kills and 12 digs, while Fitzwater had 18 kills and 14 digs.

The Skyhawks won game one 30-27, but lost games two and three. They won the match with a stellar effort led by Reiniche, Kea and Fitzwater in game four (30-25).

In the final game the trio, along with freshman Mandy Krol, put the finishing touches on the win with a 15-10 victory.

Evansville led game four, 6-4, but the Skyhawks tied the game at 9-9.

UTM went up 14-10 behind three consecutive kills by Reiniche, but Evansville rallied to take a 19-17 lead.

The Skyhawks tied the game at 19-19, 20-20 and 21-all, before Krol came through with a kill to give the Skyhawks a 23-21 lead.

Evansville tied the game at 25-all, but Reiniche’s effort was monumental down the stretch.

Evansville won game three, 30-22, and turned in a .350 hitting percentage. Lacy Haller led Evansville with 11 kills and 11 digs. The Skyhawks were once again led by Reiniche.

The difference in the game was errors. The Skyhawks committed 28 mistakes compared to Evansville’s eight.

For only the second time in 14 matches this season, the Skyhawks won game one.

The Skyhawks claimed a 30-27 win. The teams battled to a 6-6 tie, before UTM built a four-point advantage. Evansville cut the lead to a point twice, but never tied the game again.

Evansville had the higher hitting percentage in the game at .341, but the Skyhawks complemented their .292 hitting percentage with 20 kills.

The Skyhawks return to action this weekend when they travel to Richmond, Ky., tonight for an OVC match against Eastern Kentucky.

The Skyhawks will also go to Morehead, Ky., tomorrow for an OVC match against Morehead State.