FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball begins Lone Star Conference play this week, visiting Lubbock Christian on Friday and Angelo State on Saturday.
All matches will feature live stats and be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network. All links can be accessed at uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: UAFS split its four matches at Valdosta State, sweeping Albany State before falling in five sets to host Valdosta State on day one. Day two saw UAFS defeat Saint Leo in four sets but dropping a four-set match to Eckerd College.
GOTTA HAVE FAITH: Right-side hitter Faith Marabella led UAFS with eight kills on a .412 attack percentage in a win over Albany State, then posted a career-high and team-high 15 kills in a five-set match versus Valdosta State.
DYNAMIC DUO: Middle blockers Hannah Holland and Chyra Thompson were a force at the net last weekend, recording 18 and 17 blocks, respectively. Holland had 14 assisted blocks and four solo blocks while Thompson had 14 assisted blocks and three solo blocks.
CONFERENCE OPENER: UAFS is 11-1 in conference openers, including 2-0 against Lubbock Christian. The only loss came last spring at Midwestern State.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: Middle blocker Hannah Holland is among the league leaders in numerous statistical categories:
-12th in attack percentage (.315)
-4th in aces (.50/s)
-3rd in blocks (1.16/s, leads league with 37 total blocks)
RECORD WATCH: Libero Lexy Lewis currently sits 9th on the all-time UAFS digs list. She has 772 career digs.
700: Head Coach Jane Sargent earned her 700th career win last week with a sweep of Albany State. She becomes one of 70+ head coaches to win 700 or more games at any collegiate level.
SCOUTING LCU: Lubbock Christian has started the year 4-4 after a 1-3 mark last weekend. Outside hitter Aaliyah Gray leads the Lady Chaps with 3.07 kills per set while setter Jalee Sims averages 7.47 assists per set. Defensively, defensive specialist Kendall Mahaney leads LCU with 4.43 digs per set.
SCOUTING ASU: Angelo State is currently ranked No. 2 in the AVCA Top 25 after a 7-2 start to the season. Right-side hitter Kailyn Gilbreath is a triple threat for the Rambelles, leading ASU in kills (79), assists (8.21/s) and is fourth in digs (65).
THE SERIES: UAFS leads the all-time series with Lubbock Christian, 12-2, with the last meeting coming in 2018. The teams split the two matchups that season. Angelo State leads the series 3-2 over the Lions, the last meeting a LSC Tournament win for the Rambelles.
