Latest Elswick milestone can’t get UT Martin win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Senior libero Kasey Elswick set yet another milestone Saturday as UT Martin wrapped up its participation in the Arkansas Invitational volleyballtournament with a 3-0 loss to Kansas (19-25, 17-25, 23-25) and 3-1 setback to Northwestern State (17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 21-25) at Barnhill Arena.
Elswick, from Louisville, led the UT Martin defense with 37 digs in the two matches, giving her 2,015 digs through 95 career matches. She becomes the eighth player in Ohio Valley Conference history to tally at least 2,000 career digs.
Senior Kelly Hogan led the Skyhawk offense with 20 total kills, while Brandy Dennis (36 assists) and Amanda Crask (26) shared time at setter. Dallas Zimmerman turned away a team-high seven blocks to pace UTM defensively.
Against Big 12 member Kansas, Hogan tallied a team-best 11 kills, while Crask handed out 24 assists. Elswick’s 14 digs and Jackie Harter’s four blocks set the tone for the Skyhawk defense.
The Skyhawks received a huge effort out of freshman Zimmerman against Northwestern State, as she accumulated team-highs of 12 kills and six blocks. Dennis’ 36 assists came up one shy of her career set last season against Tennessee Tech on Oct. 18, while Elswick was responsible for 23 digs to lead UT Martin.
Following the Northwest-ern State contest, Crask was named to the all-tournament squad.
UTM fell 3-0 to Arkansas (16-25, 18-25, 19-25) Friday in the season-opener for both teams at Barnhill Arena.
Crask registered team-highs in kills (eight) and assists (21) for the Skyhawks, who started four freshmen against the formidable Southeastern Conference opponent.
Fellow frosh Shelby Hoskins tallied six kills, while Zimmerman, Hogan and Keaton amassed four kills apiece. Published in The WCP 8.28.12

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