FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball begins postseason play Thursday as it takes on Dallas Baptist in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Canyon, Texas.
UAFS, the seventh seed, will take on second-seeded DBU at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the WT Fieldhouse (The Box). It will follow the matchup of three seed Texas A&M International against six seed St. Mary's.
The entire tournament will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network with day passes available for $10. Live stats will be available at uafslions.com.
Tickets are $5 for adults for single session passes and free for children three and under. University students are also free with a valid school ID.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: UAFS split its final weekend of the regular season, picking up a sweep at Midwestern State and falling in five sets at Texas Woman's.
DYNAMIC DUO: The duo of freshmen middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald and outside hitter Caelyn Gunn helped power the Lions to the sweep of Midwestern State. Gunn had a team-high 16 kills while McDonald hit .529 with 11 kills.
LSC TOURNAMENT: The Lions have made all four conference tournaments since joining the LSC in 2019, twice reaching the semifinals.
WE MEET AGAIN: This will be the third meeting this season between the Lions and the Patriots. DBU won in five sets in Dallas during the LSC Crossover and then defeated the Lions in three sets at the Stubblefield Center.
RECORD WATCH: Hannah Holland ranks first in aces with 114 and fourth in blocks with 243. Chloe Price is eighth in assists with 1,144.
SERVING UP ACES: DBU is ranked first in the LSC in aces per set at 2.08 while UAFS is third at 1.64 per set.
DOWN THE STRETCH: UAFS won four of its final five matches to secure a berth in the LSC Tournament.
THE SERIES: UAFS still leads the all-time series, 20-5, after both matches this season.
SCOUTING DBU: The Patriots went 23-5, 14-2 to earn the number two seed in this year's LSC Tournament. They led the league in hitting percentage and aces while allowing the fewest kills and assists. Outside hitter AJ Koele leads the Patriots with 4.14 kills per set while setter Lauryn Burt averaged 10.38 assists per set, both second in the league. Libero Leah Palensky led the DBU defense with 3.41 digs per set.
