PINE BLUFF, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball dropped a pair of matches Tuesday at the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff Tri-Match. The Lions fell in five sets in a neutral site match to University of Arkansas at Monticello before falling in four sets to host UAPB.
The Lady Lions will return to Lone Star Conference action Saturday at Oklahoma Christian at 2 p.m.
UA Monticello 3, UAFS 2 (25-22, 28-26, 13-25, 24-26, 9-15)
The Lady Lions saw a 2-0 set lead slip away in the first match of the night as UA Monticello used a 7-2 run in set five to rally back.
UAFS held a 17-13 lead in set four, but the Blossoms used an 8-0 run to pull ahead. The Lions fought back to tie the match at 23, but UAM scored three of the last four points to even the match.
The Lions fell behind 7-0 in set one, UAFS later took the lead with an 11-1 spurt powered by three kills from middle blocker Hannah Holland. Tied at 18, UAFS pulled away with six straight points and held off a late UAM rally to take the 1-0 lead.
UAFS took an early 9-4 advantage in set two before UAM rallied to tie the set at 9-9. The set went back-and-forth before the Lions scored four of the final five points for a 2-0 advantage.
However, UAM hit .429 in set three to win its first set and turn the momentum.
Libero Jazzlyn Wells led three players with double figure digs with 16, while outside hitter Reagan Macha had 13 digs and setter Chloe Alderson 10 digs.
Both Macha and Alderson recorded double-doubles as Macha tallied 12 kills and Alderson 35 assists.
Outside hitter Savannah Wharton led UAFS with 13 kills, while Holland added nine kills and middle blocker Chyra Thompson eight kills.
UAPB 3, UAFS 1 (25-20, 22-25, 21-25,16-25)
UAFS won the first set over an NCAA I opponent but was unable to hold on for the upset win.
UAFS jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first set and used numerous 3-0 runs to take the opening set.
The UAPB defense stiffened in the final three sets as UAFS hit below .150 in the final three sets after hitting .267 in set one.
Wells posted a season-high 27 digs while setter Chloe Price tallied 15 digs. Price notched a double-double by dishing out 14 assists. Setter Coryn Chaffin handed out a team-high 18 assists and added seven digs.
Macha led the Lions with 10 kills while Thompson posted nine kills and five blocks.