ADA, Okla. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball rallied for a five-set victory Tuesday at East Central, defeating the Tigers 24-26, 25-27, 25-19, 27-25, 15-11.
Mayli Whetter dished out a season-high 54 assists in the win and was one of three Lions to record a double-double. Lydia Pitts had a team-high 18 kills while both Breanna Smith and Aspen Olson had 17 kills apiece with Olson hitting .469. Sarah Lora tallied seven kills on a .429 attack percentage in the win.
Defensively, Ella Shelby posted a team-high 28 digs followed by Pitts with 19. Grace Marshall added 18 digs while Whetter and Smith had 16 and 13, respectively. Olson also recorded six blocks.
In the final set, the Lions rallied from a 6-3 deficit and took an 11-9 lead on a 3-0 run. Leading 12-11, the Lions scored the final three points of the match to complete the comeback.
East Central used a 6-0 run to take the lead in the opening set before the Lions fended off three set points to tie the set at 24-24. A kill by the Tigers and a service error gave ECU the 1-0 lead.
The Tigers led by as many as six early in set two before the Lions rattled off eight straight points for a 17-13 lead. However, the Tigers rallied back to take the lead and breaking a 25-25 tie with a pair of kills.
UAFS hit .389 as they dominated set three to extend the match and then led 17-12 in set four before ECU took the lead on a 7-0 run. UAFS regained the lead at 24-22 but ECU scored three straight points to force a match point but a service error tied the set at 25-25. A Tiger error and kill by Smith allowed the Lions to force the decisive fifth set.
UAFS hit .216 for the match compared to .143 for ECU. The Lions had a 9-4 advantage in blocks.
Next up for the Lions is a trip to Northeastern State Friday at 5 p.m.
