FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball was unable to complete the comeback as the Lions dropped their MIAA opener Friday, 23-25, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, to Pittsburg State at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions opened the match on a 5-1 run, however, the Gorillas answered with six straight to take a 7-5 lead. After PSU led 18-12, the Lions reeled off a 5-0 run to get back within one. Tied at 22-22, the Gorillas scored three of the final four points to take the opening set.

UAFS started quick again in set two, only for PSU to answer back and take the lead later on with a 6-0 run before going up 2-0.

An 8-0 run in set three gave UAFS a 9-2 lead, with outside hitter Nyia Anderson collecting a pair of kills while middle blocker Brianna Ball had a pair of blocks. UAFS led by as many as nine before holding off a late Gorilla rally to get back in the match. The Lions held the Gorillas to a match low .022 hitting in the set.

Once again, the Lions held a 6-3 lead to open set four before the Gorillas rallied with a 6-0 run. A 5-0 burst put the Lions back ahead, 16-15, thanks to four errors from the Gorillas. With the match on the line tied at 22-22, PSU rattled off the final three points to take the conference opener.

Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn led the Lions with a double-double of 18 kills and 18 digs, while Ball added 10 kills while hitting .304. Middle blocker Hannah Watkins hit .438 with nine kills. Ball also had a team-high six blocks.

Six Lions tallied double figures in digs, with libero Brooke Rifkin collecting 17 and Anderson 16. Both Ball and setter Scarlette Young recorded 13 digs.

Setter Trinity Funderburk dished out 23 assists to go with 10 digs, while Young tallied 13 assists.

UAFS hit .139 for the match while Pitt State hit .124, but the Gorillas had an 8-2 edge in aces. Both teams accumulated 10 blocks.

Next up for the Lions is a home contest against Newman Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center.