RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn hit .385 with a team-high 12 kills but University of Arkansas – Fort Smith came up short in a 27-29, 27-29, 18-25 defeat at Arkansas Tech Monday.

The Lions held a 23-18 lead in the opening set, but the Golden Suns scored six consecutive points to force a set point. UAFS regained the lead at 27-26 before Arkansas Tech scored the final three points of the set.

Once again, the Lions held a late lead in the set at 23-19 only to see the Golden Suns score six of the next seven points for a 25-24 advantage. History then repeated itself, as the Lions led 27-26 again before the Golden Suns tallied three in a row for the 29-27 win.

Arkansas Tech hit .358 in set two and then .370 in set three as the Lions were held to just .125 in the final set.

Outside hitter Nyia Anderson and middle blocker Kaelyn McDonald each added nine kills for the Lions with setters Scarlette Young and Trinity Funderburk dishing out 16 and 11 assists, respectively.

UAFS returns to MIAA action Wednesday at 6 p.m. at No. 10 Central Oklahoma.