EDMOND, Okla. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball came up just short of a 4-0 weekend Saturday, falling in five sets, 25-23, 17-25, 22-25, 25-20, 13-15 against Oklahoma Baptist.

The Lions led 11-9 in set five before the Bison went on a 3-0 run for a 12-11 advantage. UAFS retied the set at 13-13 before the Bison had match point. UAFS had appeared to tie the set once again, but the call was overturned by replay, giving the Bison the win.

UAFS raced out to a 6-1 lead in set one, only to see the Bison come back to tie it at 7-7. The teams then traded 5-0 runs before OBU answered with another 4-0 run. The Lions then battled back from down 21-19 by scoring six of the final eight points, which included three OBU errors and two kills by setter Scarlette Young.

OBU then hit .346 to take set two and then started set three up, 13-6. UAFS battled back to take a 16-15 lead, but a 4-0 run put the Bison back ahead, and they closed out the set despite the Lions hitting .313 in the set.

The Lions stepped up on defense in set four, holding OBU to -.022 in the set, having jumped out to a 10-2 lead and holding off a late OBU rally. Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn delivered three aces during the opening run.

Gunn led the Lions with 15 kills, while outside hitter Nyia Anderson totaled 10 kills and a team-high 23 digs. Middle blocker Hannah Watkins and right-side hitter Morgan Creer each added nine kills, with Watkins hitting .421 for the match.

Young passed out 28 assists, while libero Macie Grams recorded 15 digs.

Next up for the Lions is their home and MIAA opener September 27 at 6 p.m. against Pittsburg State at the Stubblefield Center.