FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball will make its long-awaited debut Tuesday, when the Lady Lions travel to Midwestern State for their season opener. First serve is 6 p.m.
UAFS will then play the Mustangs again on Wednesday, also at 6 p.m. Attendance will be limited to 25 percent. Tickets must be bought online at https://msuticketsonline.universitytickets.com/.
Both matches will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network for a daily pass of $10. Live stats will also be available on uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST SEASON: The Lady Lions posted a 27-7 record in the 2019 season, culminating with a trip to the NCAA II South Central Regional. UAFS defeated A&M-Commerce in the quarterfinals, but lost to host Regis University, in the semifinals.
KEY RETURNERS: Returning to lead the way for the Lady Lions this spring is senior middle blocker Lexie Johnston. Johnson earned LSC first team honors last year and was named the Newcomer of the Year after amassing 332 kills and a program season record .379 attack percentage. Joining Johnston as leading returners are sophomore right-side Courtney Crownover (199 kills) and liberos/defensive specialists Lexy Lewis (413 digs) and Kaitlyn Carroll (113 digs).
KEY LOSSES: The Lady Lions have to replace one of the most dominant players in program history in Anna Demmer, whose name is scattered all over the UAFS record book. Demmer was an AVCA Division II second team All-American, first team All-LSC member, and D2CCA All-South Central Region Player of the Year. Also graduated from the team are honorable mention All-American setter Amanda Van Wyk and All-LSC honorable mention outside hitter Rachel Williams.
NEW FACES: UAFS has 10 new faces on this year's squad, with seven freshmen and three transfers. Among those transfers is sophomore outside hitter Julia McCown, who had 388 kills and 49 blocks as a freshman at Drury University, earning second team All-GLVC honors.
PRESEASON POLL: UAFS was picked third in the LSC Preseason Poll, voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives. UAFS received 546 points and one first-place vote.
BUBBLE FORMAT: The 2020-21 spring schedule will be played in a bubble format. UAFS will be joined by Midwestern State, Cameron, and Oklahoma Christian in the LSC North Division. The schedule features 12 games against divisional foes, with back-to-back games weekly playing each team in the division home and away.
HEAD COACH JANE SARGENT: Head Coach Jane Sargent enters her 23rd season leading the Lady Lions, compiling a career record of 685-161 along the way. In the NCAA II era, the Lady Lions have posted a 283-78 mark.
SCOUTING MSU: The Mustangs opened the spring season with a pair of wins over Oklahoma Christian last week. Senior right-side Raven Presley totaled 29 kills in the two matches, good for 3.22 per set and a .480 attack percentage.
THE SERIES: UAFS leads the all-time series 2-0, defeating the Mustangs 3-1 in each matchup last season.
