RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Outside hitter Paola Fragalle totaled 14 kills and hit .448 as University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball swept Arkansas Tech 25-16, 25-17, 25-17 in the first meeting between the schools since 2011.
Fragalle led the attack while fellow outside hitter Caelyn Gunn added 12 kills and nine digs. Fragalle registered a double-double by adding 10 digs.
UAFS opened the match by hitting .313 in the opening set while holding the Golden Suns to a -.047 attack percentage. The Lions took an early lead in the set before Arkansas Tech battled back to tie it at 14-14.
The Lions responded with a 5-0 run in thanks to a pair of solo blocks by Gunn and middle blocker Angelina Hardison. Gunn then had two kills as UAFS closed the set with a second 5-0 run.
UAFS trailed midway through the second set before Fragalle sparked a 4-0 run to give UAFS a 15-12 advantage. UAFS would grow the lead to as many as six as it ended set two with a 6-1 run.
In set three, the Lions raced out to a 15-5 advantage before the Golden Suns attempted to rally with an 8-2 run to pull within 20-16. The run was stopped with a 4-0 Lion run to set up match point, with setter Chloe Alderson picking up a pair of aces. Fragalle then ended the match with a kill two points later.
Alderson dished out 18 assists while setter Chloe Price had a double-double of 17 assists and 13 digs. Libero Lauren Weber led the defensive charge with 15 digs.
Middle blocker Hannah Holland and right-side hitter Reagan Macha added six and five kills, respectively.
For the match, UAFS hit .274 and held Arkansas Tech to .056.
UAFS resumes Lone Star Conference play Friday at 6 p.m. at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center against West Texas A&M.
