FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball picked up its first home win of the 2025 season Saturday with a 3-1 (25-23, 25-18, 10-25, 25-15) win over Missouri Southern at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions rallied from a seven-point deficit in the opening set, using a pair of 4-0 runs to take a 23-20 lead. After MSSU pulled back within one, setter Scarlette Young tallied a kill to give UAFS the 1-0 advantage. UAFS hit .353 in the first set.

An 8-2 run in set two gave UAFS a 15-8 lead as the Lions cruised to a 2-0 lead.

However, set three saw Missouri Southern hit .486 while UAFS hit .000 as the visitors broke a 6-6 tie with a 9-0 run to extend the match.

UAFS then returned the favor in set four, as the Lions used an 8-0 run that extended to a 12-1 run to open up a 14-4 lead. After MSSU got back within six, UAFS scored five straight points to set up match point, receiving a kill from middle Crystal Smith to take the match. The Lions hit .282 in the final frame while holding MSSU to -.057.

Outside hitter Lydia Pitts led the Lions with 12 kills, hitting .333, while outside hitter Bree Pardy added nine kills with right-side Morgan Creer and Smith each adding eight kills.

Middle Jacia Hayes led the Lions with seven blocks as the Lions had a 9-5 advantage at the net. Pardy had a team-high 20 digs for the Lions while libero Abbey Jackson had 17.

Young dished out 26 assists for the Lions with setter Trinity Funderburk chipping in with 16.

UAFS is at UA-Monticello on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before returning to the Stubblefield Center next weekend.