FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith capped the 2026 season with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-15 sweep over visiting Newman Saturday at the Stubblefield Center.
The Lions trailed for only two points in the entire match and hit .357, their highest mark in MIAA action and second highest of the season.
In the opening set, the Lions broke a 6-6 tie with a 7-0 run and later led 22-24 after a 4-0 burst. The Lions hit .520 in the opening set to take a 1-0 lead.
After dropping the first point in set two, UAFS rattled off five straight points before leading 11-3. The Lions had set point at 24-16 but the Jets rallied with six consecutive points before a kill by Mayli Whetter put the Lions up two sets to none.
The Lions broke an 11-11 tie in the third set with a 6-1 run and then with an 18-15 lead scored the final seven points of the match to complete the sweep.
Lydia Pitts hit .323 and led the Lions with 12 kills while Breanna Smith hit .444 with nine kills. Middles Aspen Olson and Emily Parker hit .636 and .625 with eight and five kills, respectively. Codi Jackson added seven kills for the Lions.
Mayli Whetter dished out 35 assists while Abbey Jackson posted a team-high 15 digs. Smith totaled 11 digs.
UAFS finishes the season with an 18-14 overall record.
