FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball looks to keep up its momentum with another road trip this week as the Lions visit Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State.
The Lions and Griffons will square off at 6 p.m. Friday with the matchup against the Bearcats at 3 p.m. Saturday. Both matches will be streamed on the MIAA Network with live stats available at uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: UAFS won its first two MIAA road matches of the year, defeating Central Missouri in four sets before sweeping Missouri Southern State.
1,000: Outside hitter Nyia Anderson achieved 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for her collegiate career last weekend.
ACES WILD: UAFS leads the MIAA with 1.84 aces per set, led by setter Brelee Mauldin, who ranks second in the league with 0.46 aces per set. Friday's matchup with Missouri Western will feature the top two serving teams in the MIAA.
.181: UAFS is 11-0 when hitting .181 or better and 0-4 when hitting below that mark.
BLOCK PARTY: The Lions top the MIAA in blocks at 2.60 per set and has four players in the top 12 individuals, led by middle blocker Hannah Watkins at 1.26 per set.
RECORD WATCH: Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn ranks ninth with 782 kills while Watkins is seventh with 230 total blocks and tied for fourth with 57 solo blocks.
SCOUTING MWSU: The Griffons are receiving votes in the latest AVCA Top 25 and sport a 12-4, 3-2 MIAA mark. MSWU is 2-0 at home on the year and allows the second most blocks per set in the league at 2.41. The Griffons lead the league with 19.19 digs per set, paced by libero Anna Weberg at 4.74 per set. Setter Nessa Johnson is fifth in the MIAA with 10.91 assists per set.
SCOUTNG NW: The Bearcats are 9-6, 3-2 MIAA after defeating Missouri Western Tuesday night and have won seven of their last nine matches. NW is last in total aces while being led offensively by middle hitter Abby Brunssen, who is averaging 3.33 kills per set on a .313 attack percentage. Libero Kyah Luhring is third in the MIAA with 4.98 digs per set.
THE SERIES: UAFS leads both series, as the Lions are 2-1 against Missouri Western and 2-0 against Northwest Missouri State.
