FORT SMITH, Ark. – Outside hitter Lydia Pitts posted a season-high 21 kills but it wasn't enough as University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball came up short in its home opener against Central Missouri in four sets.
UAFS picked up a 25-23 win in set one, but dropped three consecutive sets, 21-25, 23-25, 21-25.
Pitts hit .308 on 52 attempts while adding four blocks and seven digs. She was the only Lion with double figure kills.
The Lions trailed, 17-13, in the opening set when the Lions scored four straight points to tie it at 17. After the Jennies regained the lead, UAFS went ahead, 21-20, with three straight points, including two kills by Pitts.
UCM then took a 23-22 lead before three straight attack errors – with two blocks for the Lions – gave UAFS the opening frame.
The Lions rode that momentum into set two, racing out to a 13-7 lead. UAFS continued to lead, 18-14, but the Jennies fought their way back to take a 22-20 lead after scoring four straight points. UCM went on to close the set on a 7-1 run to even the match.
Tied at 21 in set three, the Jennies rattled off back-to-back points before Pitts pulled the Lions back within one. However, former Lion Kaelyn McDonald tallied a pair of kills to give UCM the 2-1 lead.
UAFS continued to battle in set four, pulling within one multiple times after trailing by four. But the Lions ran out of gas as the Jennies closed out the match. UAFS outhit UCM overall, .213 to .200.
The Lions had a 15-5 advantage in blocks, receiving eight from middle Crystal Smith and seven from middle Jacia Hayes. Both Smith and outside hitter Bree Pardy added nine kills for the Lions, as well.
Setter Scarlette Young had 25 assists and nine digs, while setter Trinity Funderburk added 23 assists and 16 digs. Pardy tallied 14 digs with libero Abbey Jackson registering a team-high 26 digs.
Serving played a difference in the match, as the Jennies had seven aces and only three errors while the Lions had three aces and nine errors.
UAFS looks to bounce back Saturday at 1 p.m. against Missouri Southern at the Stubblefield Center.