FORT SMITH, Ark. – Volleyball outside hitter Lydia Pitts has been selected as the inaugural Lion Pride Female Freshman of the Year Award winner.

The Fort Smith native started all 29 matches for the Lions last fall and played in all 106 sets.

Pitts led UAFS with 289 kills for 2.73 kills per set with a .200 attack percentage. She had a season-best 21 kills against Central Missouri and hit .423 with 12 kills at Nebraska-Kearney. She had 13 games with double digit kills.

She also added 21 aces.

Defensively, Pitts was second on the team with 277 digs with 12 matches with 10 or more and a high of 20. She posted six double-doubles on the season. At the net, Pitts recorded 62 total blocks, with 10 solo and 52 assisted.