JACKSON, Tenn. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball opened the 2025 season with a pair of sweeps Friday at the Union Volleyball Classic, defeating Lane College and host Union University.

Day two of the event sees the Lions face Harding University at 11 a.m. Saturday followed by a 5:30 p.m. matchup against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

UAFS 3, Lane 0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-7)

The Lions easily dispatched the Dragons in the season opener, hitting .500 for the match while holding Lane to .000. UAFS hit .476 in each of the first two sets before hitting .556 in the finale.

UAFS recorded 15 aces in the match which ties the third most in a single match in program history.

Setter Scarlette Young led the Lions with eight kills on nine attempts while also dishing out 16 assists and recording a team-high five aces. Hitters Crystal Smith and Lydia Pitts each tallied six kills while middle blocker Jacia Hayes added five. Five Lions hit over .500 with at least four kills.

Outside hitter Bree Pardy led the Lions with eight digs and setter Trinity Funderburk added 13 assists.

UAFS 3, Union 0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-19)

The Lions were strong on defense once again as the offense struggled in a sweep over the host Bulldogs. UAFS held Union to a negative attack percentage in the first and third sets and -.059 for the match.

UAFS had to rally from slow starts in the first two sets, closing set one on a 12-4 run to erase a 16-13 deficit and using a 9-1 run in set two to go from trailing, 16-9, to an 18-17 lead. UAFS then finished off set two with a 6-1 burst.

Pitts led the Lions with six kills while right-side hitter Morgan Creer and Smith each added five kills. The Lions had 11 blocks in the match, with Creer and Smith tallying six and Hayes five. Pardy once again led the defense with eight digs with Young dishing out 14 assists.