SEARCY, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball went 2-0 on the opening day of the Harding Invitational Friday, defeating Southwest Baptist and Southern Arkansas.

The Lions play their final match of the weekend Saturday at 9:30 a.m. against Crowley's Ridge College.

UAFS 3, Southwest Baptist 0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-20)

The Lions stymied the Bearcat attack, holding SBU to a .064 attack percentage in a sweep.

UAFS held SBU to .000 in set one, breaking the set open with a 7-1 run to erase a 9-8 deficit. The Lions later extended the lead to 23-17 with a 5-1 run taking advantage of three Bearcat attack errors.

After racing out to a 4-0 lead in set two, the Lions had to come from behind to take a 2-0 lead. Trailing 23-21, the Lions got a pair of blocks from middle Crystal Smith and right-side Morgan Creer to tie the set before another SBU error gave the Lions the lead. SBU held off one set point before Creer tallied a pair of kills for the set win.

A pair of 5-0 runs in set three gave the Lions a 14-7 advantage as they cruised in set three for the sweep.

Setter Scarlette Young and libero Abbey Jackson led the defensive charge with 15 digs each, while both Smith and Creer totaled four blocks. Setter Trinity Funderburk also had 10 digs.

Young dished out 19 assists to go with five kills, while Creer led the attack with 10 kills on a .412 attack percentage. Outside hitter Lydia Pitts added seven kills and middle Aspen Olson had six.

UAFS 3, SAU 1 (25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18)

The Lions used a balanced attack to down in-state foe Southern Arkansas, as three players tallied double figure kills.

Smith led the Lions with 15 kills on a .522 attack percentage while Olson hit .320 with 12 kills. Creer added 10 kills while hitting .280. The Lions hit .206 for the match.

UAFS weathered a 7-0 run by the Muleriders in the opening set, answering with a 6-1 burst before taking a 24-18 lead to secure the first set. The Lions never trailed in set two, leading by as many as eight to take a 2-0 advantage.

The Lions had a 20-16 lead in set three, but SAU used a 6-0 run and extended 9-2 to close the set and extend the match.

That didn't deter the Lions, however, as they led 12-6 early in set four before closing the match on a 5-1 run to secure the victory. UAFS hit .343 in the final set.

Smith continued her torrid pace at the net with eight blocks, while Jackson led the back row with 21 digs. Outside hitter Lydia Pitts added nine kills, 15 digs and three aces.

Young finished with 29 assists and 13 digs while Funderburk had 20 helpers and 10 digs.