FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball went toe-to-toe with the No. 3 team in the country Friday night, but ultimately fell in three sets, 24-26, 21-25, 20-25, at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions jumped out to six-point leads in both the first and second sets, only to see the Lopers rally each time.

A 5-0 run in set one gave the Lions a 13-7 lead before the Lopers evened the set at 20-20. Each team then scored back-to-back points with the Lions taking a 24-22 advantage, however, UNK scored the next four points to steal the set.

UAFS led 13-7 again in set two and later 21-19, only to see the Lopers rattle off six straight points for a 2-0 lead.

The Lions continued to battle, erasing a seven-point deficit in set three to pull within 21-20. Once again, the Lopers closed strong by scoring the final four points of the match.

Both teams hit over .300 in the final set, with UNK hitting .325 and UAFS .300. UNK finished the match at .228 and UAFS at .202.

Outside hitters Nyia Anderson and Caelyn Gunn each posted double-doubles for the Lions, with Gunn tallying 10 kills and 13 digs while Anderson totaled 12 kills and 10 digs.

Setters Trinity Funderburk and Scarlette Young had 17 and 16 assists, respectively. Young also had a team high three aces. Elsewhere defensively, libero Macie Grams recorded 12 digs. Middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald record four kills and five blocks.

UAFS will now focus its attention on a 1 p.m. matchup Saturday against Fort Hays State, with the match serving as the annual Pink Out match.