FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball will be the first to usher in a new era of UAFS athletics as the Lions host Pittsburg State and Newman for their inaugural Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association matches.

UAFS will host Pitt State at 6 p.m. Friday with Newman coming to the Stubblefield Center Saturday for a 1 p.m. first serve. Both matches will be streamed on the MIAA Network and broadcast on Fox Sports Radio 103.5. Live stats will be available at uafortsmithlions.com.

Friday's match will also serve as the inaugural Teal Match, with UAFS wearing teal uniforms and partnering with the River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance for ovarian cancer awareness month.

NOTES:

LAST WEEK: UAFS went 3-1 at the MIAA/GAC Crossover, defeating Southern Nazarene, East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma State before falling in five sets to Oklahoma Baptist.

LEAGUE OPENER: UAFS is 13-2 in conference openers across both the Heartland and Lone Star conferences.

HOME OPENER: The Lions are 13-2 in home openers since 2009.

PRESEASON POLL: UAFS was tabbed seventh in its first ever MIAA preseason poll, voted on by the league's head coaches.

.181: The Lions have hit at least .181 in all eight of their wins this season but are 0-3 when hitting below that mark.  

RECORD WATCH: Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn ranks ninth in kills with 742 while middle blocker Hannah Watkins is eighth with 211 total blocks.

SCOUTING PSU: The Gorillas are 5-5 on the year, and went 1-3 at Denton Volleyfest, the same tournament where the Lions went 3-1. This will only be the second true road match for Pitt State, who leads the MIAA with 19.94 digs per set. Libero Josie McCroskey is second in the league with 5.03 digs per set.

SCOUTING NU: The Jets enter the weekend 2-11 overall and rank last in the league in numerous statistical categories. Middle blocker Ozioma Ajekwu leads the Jets offensively with 3.00 kills per set and a .359 attack percentage.

THE SERIES: The Lions will be looking for their first win against the Gorillas, as Pitt State leads the series, 2-0. UAFS is 20-2 all-time against Newman, renewing an old rivalry from the Heartland Conference.