ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball dropped a back-and-forth matchup at Ouachita Baptist Thursday, falling to the Tigers, 27-25, 15-25, 23-25, 24-25 in four sets in their first matchup of the Reddie-Tiger Invitational.

The Lions held an 18-14 lead in the opening set before the Tigers took a two-point lead. UAFS faced set point but scored four of the final five points of the set to take the 1-0 advantage.

However, in set two, the Tigers hit .355 to just .139 for the Lions as they evened the match.

UAFS had a 19-14 lead in set three but OBU used a 6-0 run to take a 20-19 lead. The teams then traded the next five points before a pair of kills by the Tigers gave them the 2-1 lead. Both teams had excellent hitting percentages in the set, with UAFS hitting .419 and OBU .351.

The Lions trailed, 13-8, in the fourth set before ripping off a 5-0 run to tie the set. After being tied two more times, OBU took a 23-20 lead but the Lions scored four straight to have a set point opportunity. However, the Tigers rattled off three-straight points to take the match.

Outside hitter Lydia Pitts recorded a double-double with 16 kills and 17 digs, leading three Lions with double figure kills. Right-side hitter Morgan Creer added 14 kills on a .333 attack percentage while middle blocker Crystal Smith hit .320 with 11 kills.

Setter Scarlette Young dished out 32 assists to go with 11 digs while setter Trinity Funderburk had 18 assists and nine digs. Libero Abbey Jackson led the Lions with 23 digs.

Up next for the Lions is a 1 p.m. matchup with Mississippi College on Friday.