FLORENCE, Ala. (October 25, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team won its second-straight Atlantic Sun Conference match in a 3-0 sweep Friday night over West Georgia in CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.
The Lions (12-10, 6-3 ASUN) returned to CB&S Bank Arena after four-straight road matches, picking up where they left off with a home win to open the two-match weekend. Facing the Wolves (9-12, 2-7) for the first time since 2017, UNA welcomed the newest member of the ASUN Conference with a three-set sweep in an all-around effort for the Lions.
North Alabama came out with the first-set win in a 25-21 triumph, holding off a late rally from the Wolves to start the evening. A dominant second set resulted in a 25-15 victory for the Lions, giving way to a 25-20 third set to complete the sweep over West Georgia.
It was a complete-game performance for UNA, who led the way in every major statistical category over the Wolves. North Alabama led in kills (49-30), assists (44-29), service aces (4-2), digs (45-43) and blocks (5-2), wrapping up the dominant day on the court.
Graduate Jasmine Brooks followed up her program-record performance against Stetson with a match-high 18 kills on a .357 hitting percentage. Freshman Reese Ricketts and senior Brenna Tietz also scored double-digit kills, finishing with 12 and 11, respectively. Ricketts additionally registered her 11th double-double of the season by securing 10 digs in the outing, and Brooks surpassed 500-career kills with her performance.
Senior Elif Ozsoy finished two assists shy of an eighth 40-assist night, registering a match-high 38 assists against the Wolves. Sophomore Olivia Fenoff contributed a team-high two service aces, while freshman Audrey Small proved big in the backline defense with 17 digs. Finishing atop the leaderboard in blocks was sophomore Nicole Sargent, who totaled three on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1: UNA 25, UWG 21
North Alabama withstood a run from West Georgia late in the opening set, leading to the Lions taking the first point of the match. The Wolves held the lead early to begin the set, but a 6-0 run from UNA turned a 7-5 deficit into a 11-7 lead nearly midway through. North Alabama continued to hold the advantage as the set progressed, but West Georgia responded with a late 4-0 run to tie the match at 20. The Lions answered back with a 5-1 run of their own, taking the first set. Brooks had strong opener en route to giving UNA the first point, contributing seven kills in the set to spark the offense.
SET 2: UNA 25, UWG 15
North Alabama improved from the first-set performance, using its most efficient offensive set to take a 2-0 lead over the Wolves. The Lions hit .367 as a team to spark the attack, but the defense was key, forcing West Georgia into two blocks and a .057 hit percentage. The attack was led by Ricketts (5 kills), Tietz (3), Brooks (3) and Ozsoy (2), who also contributed 10 assists in the set.
SET 3: UNA 25, UWG 20
Another solid attacking performance saw the Lions close out the Wolves in the third set. UNA led for all but one point in the frame, cementing the win at home despite an improved West Georgia performance in the set with a .250 hitting percentage and 12 kills. Brooks continued to surge offensively with eight kills, also contributing defensively with a block along with Sargent and sophomore Meredith Brown. The Lions led by as many as eight in the side.
UP NEXT
North Alabama is set for a Sunday, Oct. 27 home matchup against Queens, with first serve set for 1 p.m. in CB&S Bank Arena.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
