MEMPHIS, Tenn., - Freshman Cara Gregg had a match-high 15 kills and recorded a .462 hitting percentage to lead the University of North Alabama volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep over Christian Brothers in the Lions’ regular-season finale Tuesday evening at Canale Arena on the CBU campus. The win is the fifth straight for UNA and seventh in the last nine matches as the Lions improved to 19-13 on the season.
UNA rallied to win the opening set after trailing 15-6 midway through the contest. After chipping away at the lead, the Lions tied the score at 17-17 on a kill by Alison Jacobs, then took their first lead with the next point on a service ace by Kristin Zull. The Lady Bucs were able to tie the set at 19-19, but could never regain the lead. A kill by Gregg ended the game and gave UNA the 25-23 victory.
Sarah Roberts had five of her 11 kills in the second set as the Lions coasted to a 25-15 win. After trailing 1-0 early in the contest, UNA scored the next four points and never relinquished the lead.
In the third set, the Lions hit .405 as a team and completed the sweep with a 25-17 victory. UNA led from start to finish in the game as Gregg completed her night with seven kills.
For the match, Jacobs had 35 assists, three blocks and nine kills. She also led the way in hitting percentages with a .474 showing. Defensively, Zull produced a career-high 21 digs in just three sets. Lauren Greenhill also reached double digits in the category with 13 digs on the night.
With the regular season concluded, UNA must wait to see who its opponent will be in the upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament. The Lions are currently in third place in the GSC East Division with a 7-3 league record. West Alabama and West Florida are tied for first at 6-2, and must each still face West Georgia and Valdosta State.
On the West Division side, Harding defeated Henderson State 3-1 on Tuesday to wrap up the division title and the right to host the tournament. Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech and Henderson have each clinched a tournament berth with the final three seedings yet to be determined. The GSC tourney will be held Nov. 13-14 in Searcy, Ark., on the HU campus.