MARTIN, Tenn. – The Drake University volleyball team swept the University of Tennessee at Martin, 3-0, in its opening match of the 2014 Skyhawk Invitational. Drake won by scores of 25-17, 26-24 and 25-14 over UT Martin as it improved to 8-1 overall on the season.

Freshman Kyla Inderski (Urbandale, Iowa), who earlier in the week earned her second-straight Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week award, paced the Bulldogs with nine kills. Junior Katie Dulek (Lenexa, Kan.) had outstanding overall numbers with six kills, four blocks and three digs, while sophomore Makena Schoene (Seattle, Wash.) added eight kills and four digs.

The Bulldogs controlled the match from the start of the first set as they held a 7-3 lead over the Skyhawks, and would extend it to 20-12. UT Martin trimmed the deficit to 22-17 before Drake scored three consecutive points to take the opening frame, 25-17, as it never trailed.

Set two was tightly contested as it featured three lead changes and nine score ties. UT Martin grabbed its final lead of the night at 21-20 after a service ace by Amanda Crask dropped in front of Inderski. Drake called a timeout, and after the break the teams traded points before back-to-back attack errors gave the Bulldogs a 26-24 victory.

On the verge of collecting the sweep the Bulldogs raced to a 15-5 lead in third set as the Skyhawks quickly used a timeout. However, the timeout did little to slow Drake as it cruised to a 25-14 set victory and fifth-straight match win.

Sophomore Michelle Thommi (Omaha, Neb.) recorded a team-high 11 digs, while sophomore Chandelle Davidson (Gretna, Neb.) tallied 13 assists. Junior Rebecca Brown (Bentonville, Ark.) finished with 12 assists.

The Bulldogs play Valparaiso and Western Carolina at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to close out the 2014 Skyhawk Invitational