FAIRBANKS, Alaska – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball concluded the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic Saturday, dropping two matches in four sets to Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks.
Next up for UAFS is the Lone Star Conference Crossover September 8-10 hosted by Dallas Baptist.
Alaska Anchorage 3, UAFS 1 (25-17, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20)
UAFS was handed its first loss of the weekend, falling in four sets to the No. 20 ranked Seawolves.
The Lions hit just .114 and .095 in sets one and two, but broke out in set three with a .471 hitting percentage. UAFS was able to get out to a lead in set three, but the Seawolves battled back with a 6-0 run before leading 17-14.
However, UAFS answered with a 9-1 run of its own for a 23-18 advantage. Middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald had three kills during the run and outside hitter Reagan Macha then closed out the set with a pair of kills.
The Lions maintained that momentum for a lead in set four, but UAA broke an 18-18 tie with a 6-0 run to win the match.
Macha contributed a double-double with 19 kills and 12 digs with a .311 attack percentage. Right-side hitter Hannah Holland added eight kills, while McDonald, outside hitter Paola Fragalle and setter Chloe Price each had six kills.
Price dished out 40 assists and had nine digs, as well. Defensively, libero Lauren Weber tallied 23 digs with Fragalle totaling 14 digs.
Alaska Fairbanks 3, UAFS 1 (25-13, 9-25, 25-22, 25-22)
UAFS went toe-to-toe with the host Nanooks, but ultimately came up just short in a tight battle, dropping a pair of sets by identical 25-22 scores.
The Lions held a 6-2 lead in set three before the Nanooks went on an 8-2 run and extended the lead to as many as six. UAFS scored three in a row late but couldn't complete the comeback.
Set four went back-and-forth as well, with neither team leading by more than three. Tied at 22, the Nanooks went on to score the final three points of the set to seal the win.
UAFS bounced back from hitting negative in set one by dominating set two, winning 25-9 and hitting .500 with 13 kills. It held UAF to -.033 in the set.
The Nanooks had a large advantage in the serving game, posting 12 aces to just four for the Lions.
Macha once again paced the Lions with 13 kills with Holland reaching double digits for the first time this season with 10 kills and a .500 attack percentage. Outside hitter Abby Cagle added nine kills while middle blocker Chyra Thompson had eight.
Price set a new season-high with 46 assists, with Weber and Fragalle recording 22 and 12 digs, respectively.
