CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (5-11, 1-2) fell in three sets (24-26, 19-25, 21-25) to UT Martin (6-14, 2-1) Tuesday night.

The Redhawks battled closely with the Skyhawks, remaining in control for a majority of the set. Late in the set, Jessica McElderry made her season debut tallying a kill and giving Southeast a 23-20 lead. UTM battled back overtaking the Redhawks after a pair of errors, 24-23. The Redhawks tied the set at 24, but UTM went on to claim the set on a kill by Lael Ceriani (26-24). During the opening set, Madeline Grimm generated five kills for Southeast.

Riding their late first set momentum, the Skyhawks opened the second frame with three service aces. Southeast remained in striking distance until a three-point rally allowed UTM to pull away. The Skyhawks claimed a 2-0 lead in the match after taking the set 25-19. Southeast and UTM both had their highest highest percentage in the extremely offensive frame, hitting .308 and .382 respectively.

UTM completed the sweep, winning the set three 25-21. The Skyhawks opened with an seven-point advantage before Nzingha Clarke, Madalyn Werths, and Grimm each earned kills to pull within two (18-16). Southeast eventually drew a tie at 20 on a kill by Taylor Masterson, but were unable to take a lead on the Skyhawks.

Grimm finished with a double-double, leading the Redhawks with 11 kills and registering 13 digs. Clarke tallied 10 kills with a team high .400 attack percentage. Jade Mortimer led defensively with 17 digs.

Southeast hits the road this weekend to play Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Start time is 2 p.m., CT.