FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball gets its 2024 season underway this week with three matches at the Mountain Lion Classic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The Lions start the year bright and early on Friday taking on the University of Mary at 10 a.m. central followed by a 4:45 p.m. contest against former Lone Star Conference foe Cameron. UAFS wraps up the three-match weekend against host UC Colorado Springs at 12:15 p.m. Saturday.
All three matches will be streamed on the RMAC Network free of charge with live stats available at uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST SEASON: UAFS enters 2024 after a 22-8 season a year ago in its final year in the LSC.
SEASON OPENER: UAFS is 10-5 in season openers in the NCAA II era.
KEY RETURNERS: The Lions return three all-conference performers from a year ago, including LSC Defensive Player of the Year in middle blocker Hannah Watkins, and outside hitters Caelyn Gunn and Nyia Anderson, who were First Team All-LSC and All-LSC Honorable Mention, respectively.
NEW FACES: UAFS brought in nine recruits in this year's class, six freshmen and three transfers. Freshmen setters Scarlette Young and Brelee Mauldin are both expected to play, as well as freshman right-side hitter Morgan Creer and transfer defensive specialists Brooke Rifkin and Summer Meyer.
RECORD WATCH: Watkins ranks seventh all-time with 44 solo blocks and tied for 10th with 158 total blocks.
HEAD COACH: Jane Sargent begins her 27th season leading the Lions with a career record of 749-200.
SCOUTING UM: The Marauders went 9-19 in 2023 and graduated their setter and three of their top five hitters. Leading the group of returners for the Marauders are libero Kaia Sueker (4.70 digs per set) and middle blocker Maddie Cooper (2.00 kills per set & 0.75 blocks per set.) This will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.
SCOUTING CU: A familiar foe for the Lions, UAFS is 10-2 all-time against the Aggies. Cameron went 6-24 last season and are under the direction of second-year head coach Nathan Martell. The Aggies return just two starters from a year ago in libero Shelby Rusch and setter Emily Keohen on a roster that features 10 freshmen and sophomores.
SCOUTING UCCS: This will be the second ever meeting between the Lions and Mountain Lions, with UAFS winning the lone matchup in 2019, 3-1. UCCS went 8-18 last season, with a 6-5 record at home. The Mountain Lions must replace their top three attackers, with outside hitter Sydnee Walker the leading returner with 2.46 kills per set. Maylen Mitrovich moves into the starting setter role after a part-time role last season while the Mountain Lions return their libero, Mackenzie Ransom.
