WICHITA, Kan. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball outlasted Newman University in four sets as the Lions won their MIAA opener, 3-1 (26-24, 25-23, 24-26, 25-19), Thursday evening.

UAFS trailed 11-4 in the opening set before a 7-2 run pulled them within 14-13. Tied at 22, the Jets scored the next two points to force set point before the Lions rattled off four straight points to take a 1-0 lead.

Set two went back-and-forth until the Lions pulled ahead, 13-8, before extending the lead to 17-10. However, the Jets chipped away at the deficit until a 4-0 put them ahead, 23-22. But the Lions responded just as they did in set one, forcing a pair of Jet errors before an ace by setter Scarlette Young gave the Lions a 2-0 advantage.

The teams traded multiple 4-0 runs in set three before settling at a tie at 24-24. A service error and a kill gave the Jets the final two points to extend the match. UAFS then used a 6-0 run in set four to take a 14-10 lead and never looked back to win the match. The Lions scored six of the final eight points of the match.

UAFS hit .345 in the final set while holding the Jets to .029.

Outside hitter Lydia Pitts led the Lions with 13 kills while middle Jacia Hayes added 11 kills on a .444 attack percentage. Outside hitter Bree Pardy added nine kills while right-side hitter Morgan Creer finished with seven.

Setter Trinity Funderburk finished with a double-double of 21 assists and 11 digs while Young had a team-high 22 assists to go with three aces.

Libero Abbey Jackson recorded 24 digs while Pardy collected nine to lead the defensive effort, with middle Cyrstal Smith tallying five solo blocks and eight total for the match.

UAFS continues league play Friday at 6 p.m. at Pittsburg State.