COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball went 2-1 to open the 2024 season this weekend at the Mountain Lion Classic, picking up a pair of 3-1 wins over University of Mary and Cameron while falling in five sets to host Colorado Springs.
Up next for the Lions is Denton Volleyfest where they will play four matches September 13-14.
UAFS 3, UMary 1
The Lions hit .323 for the match as they took their season opener over the Marauders. In set four, UAFS hit a blistering .448 with 16 kills to put the match away.
Outside hitter Nyia Anderson had a team-high 18 kills while freshman outside hitter Lyric Steward added 12 kills on a .320 attack percentage. Middle blocker Hannah Watkins hit .643 with nine kills.
Setting up the offense was freshman setter Scarlette Young, dishing out 39 assists while collecting 10 digs and five kills. Defensively, libero Brooke Rifkin had a team-best 18 digs.
After each teams split a set, UAFS opened set three with a 9-1 run, then used an 8-2 run in set four to help put the match away.
UAFS 3, Cameron 1
The Lions took care of a former conference foe in Cameron by once again hitting over .300, hitting .322 for the match. The Lions were strong defensively, as well, holding the Aggies to .065 hitting, including -.056 in set four.
After Cameron evened the match in set two, the Aggies started set three with a 4-0 run before the Lions took control with a 12-2 burst. UAFS had runs of 4-0, 5-0 and 6-0 in set three to pull away with the win.
Freshmen continued to contribute for the Lions, as right-side hitter Morgan Creer tallied 13 kills on a .500 attack percentage while Anderson added 10 kills and 10 digs. Middle Brianna Ball hit .571 with nine kills for the Lions.
UAFS hosted a block party at the net, totaling 16 blocks. Creer collected eight blocks, Ball six and Watkins added seven.
Young recorded 31 assists along with seven kills and seven digs.
UCCS 3, UAFS 2
The Lions won the first two sets and led 21-14 in set three, but an 8-0 run by the Mountain Lions stormed back to take set three. UCCS then started set four on a 10-1 run and then scored four straight in set five after UAFS took a 9-8 lead for the come-from-behind win.
UAFS once again had a strong presence at the net, collecting 15 blocks, including eight by Creer and five by Watkins.
Anderson hit .386 with 19 kills to lead the Lions offensively, while Ball hit .478 and added 12 kills. Anderson recorded a double-double with 16 digs, second behind the 19 digs of Rifkin. Young dished out 41 assists with 15 digs and six kills.
