FORT SMITH, Ark. – The 2022 University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball season gets underway Friday and Saturday at the Reddie-Tiger Invitational, hosted by Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist.
Each day sees the Lady Lions playing two matches, beginning Friday at 9 a.m. against Auburn-Montgomery. Later that day, UAFS will play host Ouachita Baptist at 5:30 p.m. UAFS will play Quincy Saturday at 9 a.m. and Kentucky Wesleyan at 2:30 p.m. The matches against Auburn-Montgomery and Quincy will be on the HSU campus while the matches against OBU and KWC will be at OBU.
Live stats and video coverage links for all matches are available at uafortsmithlions.com. The finale against Kentucky Wesleyan will be live stats only. A tournament pass is available for $15 while while a single day pass is $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door of either venue.
NOTES:
LAST SEASON: UAFS is looking to bounce back after a 15-14 campaign in 2021 and saw its season come to a close in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
PRESEASON POLL: The Lions were picked eighth in the LSC Preseason Poll. Hannah Holland, Lauren Weber and Chloe Price were named as Players to Watch.
KEY RETURNERS: UAFS returns four of its top five hitters from a year ago, led by middle blocker Hannah Holland and outside hitter Reagan Macha. Holland hit .327 and led the Lions in blocks last season to earn second team All-LSC honors. Setters Chloe Price and Chloe Alderson also return, as does Chyra Thompson, who was second on the team with 94 blocks in 2021.
NEW FACES: Eight newcomers joined the Lions program this year – four transfers and four freshmen. Leading that group are transfers Lauren Weber and Angelina Hardison. The duo led Missouri State – West Plains to a third-place finish at the NJCAA national tournament with Weber earning All-America honors last season.
SEASON OPENERS: UAFS is 8-5 in season openers as an NCAA II member.
NEUTRAL SITE: The Lions have posted a 24-9 mark in neutral site matches over the past five seasons.
THE SERIES: This weekend will see the Lions face off against Auburn-Montgomery and Ouachita Baptist for just the second time, while the matches against Quincy and Kentucky Wesleyan will be the first-ever meetings. UAFS won each of the previous matches against AUM and OBU.
HEAD COACH: Jane Sargent enters her 25th season leading the Lions and holds a career record of 711-178, including 309-95 at the NCAA II level.
