CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (November 8, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team has played to five sets in five of the last nine matches and turned one into a dramatic road win Saturday evening in a 3-2 victory over Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn.

North Alabama (13-14, 7-7 ASUN) concluded its Tennessee roadtrip with a battle on Austin Peay's Senior Night. The Lions got an excellent start in the matchup, coming out strong with two-straight set wins.

The Governors (4-22, 2-12 ASUN) answered back with a narrow third-set victory, continuing its momentum in set four to force a fifth and final frame. The teams fought in the fifth early, but the Lions used a key run late to claim the road bout.

North Alabama secured the season sweep over Austin Peay, while also winning for the sixth time in the last seven matches with the Govs.

Four Lions tallied double-digit kills. Junior Kendall Barnes led with 19, followed by sophomore Dylann Garner with 15 and team-high .483 hitting percentage. Sophomore Reese Ricketts contributed 12 kills and junior Nicole Sargent registered 11.

Sophomore Kinslee McGowan totaled match highs with 44 assists and a career-high 21 digs. She also tied freshman Ally Greenwell for a match-high two service aces. Garner's career-high five blocks tied the match high with freshman Jenna Kolosta.

Austin Peay started quickly in the opening set, but North Alabama settled in to take the first frame with a solid performance. UNA took the lead at the 6-5 mark and never looked back, eventually increasing the lead to 14-7. The Lions maintained its cushion using 13 kills and three blocks enroute winning the first, 25-17.

North Alabama took set two with a similar 25-17 scoreline thanks to another early rally. The Lions' first lead came at 9-8 with UNA outscoring Austin Peay, 8-4, with the next 12 points. North Alabama led 19-12 and remained steady to take the second frame. UNA finished with the most kills throughout the sets with 19 in the frame.

The Governors would not go down without a fight in sets three and four. The Govs and Lions went back-and-forth in the third frame, but Austin Peay's 3-0 run tied at 22 secured a 25-22 win. The Govs kept playing inspired in set four, leading to a 25-16 win to take it to a deciding fifth frame.

The Lions' most efficient attacking set proved the difference in the decider.

UNA had 10 kills to only one error, which proved crucial in the final frame. Even at the 8-8 mark, two-straight Lions points resulted in a 10-8 advantage. Garner and Barnes took control late using five combined kills, with Garner's three and Barnes's two powering the Lions to the road win.

North Alabama continues next at EKU on Friday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. in Richmond, Ky.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.