The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith volleyball team enjoyed another successful road trip last weekend. The Lady Lions earned a 3-1 record at the Mountain Lion Invitation in Colorado Springs, Colorado to improve to 6-2 on the season.
UAFS dropped the opening match of the tournament 3-0 to the Colorado School of Mines before charging back to win their next three matches over Colorado-Colorado Springs (3-1), Emporia State (3-1) and Minot State (3-0).
The Lady Lions got off to a sluggish start in Friday's early match tallying just 31 kills and a .184 attack percentage. Anna Demmer led the way with 11 kills followed closely by Lexie Johnston who earned 9. Amanda Van Wyk anchored UAFS' defensive side with 12 digs. The Lady Lions fell to the Orediggers 25-17, 25-21, 25-15.
UAFS quickly turned around its game in the evening matchup with host school University of Colorado – Colorado Springs earning a hard fought four set win 25-16, 15-25, 25-23, 25-18.
The Lady Lions put on a defensive show led by Lexy Lewis who recorded 17 of the team's 48 total digs. ON the offensive side Rachel Williams led the way with 13 kills followed by Lexie Johnston with 10 and Anna Demmer with eight.
UAFS earned a 2-0 record on Saturday defeating Emporia State in 4 sets (22-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21) and sweeping Minot State (25-10, 25-20, 25-18).
Saturday's early match with the Hornets was a back-and-forth affair with both teams 11 tie scores and four lead changes. The Lady Lions delivered 57 kills and 69 digs on their way to the victory. Anna Demmer and Lexie Johnston combined for 31 of those kills. It was a true team effort on the defensive side with five Lady Lions earning double digit digs. Amanda Van Wyk earned 15, Lexy Lewis 14, Jazzlyn Wells and Anna Demmer each had 12 and Laryssa Wells saved 10.
UAFS ended the day with a three-match sweep of Minot State. Anna Demmer and Rachel Williams led the way on the offensive side with a combined 27 kills. Lexy Lewis and Anna Demmer led the way defensively with a combined 22 digs.
The Lady Lions return to the friendly confines of the Stubblefield Center this Friday and Saturday to start conference play. UAFS will take court at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with Midwestern State Woman's University and at 1 p.m. Saturday with Midwestern State.
Tickets will be on sale at Stubblefield Arena the night of the matches and in advance at the UAFS Box Office on campus or by phone at 479-788-7300.
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