FLORENCE, Ala. (October 6, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team capped its two-match weekend home stand Sunday afternoon, using four sets to defeat the Bellarmine Knights at CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.

North Alabama improves its record to 9-8 with a 3-1 record in Atlantic Sun Conference matches, while Bellarmine drops to 4-10 on the season and 1-3 in conference play.

Senior Brenna Tietz and freshman Reese Ricketts tied for the team lead with 15 kills, with graduate Jasmine Brooks adding 10 kills to lead the top three for the Lions. Senior Katy Floyd and sophomore Nicole Sargent secured a team-high two service aces, and senior Elif Ozsoy continues to display her playmaking prowess with 40 assists.

Defensively, UNA were led in blocks by Tietz and Sargent with seven – a career high for both players. Freshman Autumn Holmes also contributed five blocks, tying the career mark she set against EKU just two days prior. Freshman Audrey Small rounded out the UNA leaders with a career afternoon, with the libero totaling 27 digs in the matchup.

It was a competitive affair between the two teams, with the Lions looking to extend their winning ways and the Knights looking to slow down UNA's four match win streak. The match had 35 tied scores and 13 lead changes with an average set differential of 3.5.

In the end, it was key points from the Lions that made the difference, along with UNA taking advantage of the service line.

The teams opened evenly in set one, with both teams able to gain a three-point lead in the frame. The Knights got out to a 9-6 lead that was quickly tied by the Lions, and UNA also had three-point leads at 14-11 and 17-14. Bellarmine tied the match back 17-17 with three-straight points, but a 3-0 run from North Alabama gave the Lions a late 20-17 lead. The run proved key, as UNA held on to take the first set, 25-19.

The second set proved to be the most competitive of the match, with the Lions and Knights playing to 14 tied scores and five lead changes.

Despite the back-and-forth, Bellarmine used a late run to tie the match at a set apiece. The Knights were able to gain some cushion with a 9-6 advantage, but the Lions answered to tie the match with at 10 with a 4-1 run. The teams remained even until a 5-0 run from Bellarmine gave them a 23-18 lead late in the set. The run would prove enough as the Knights took the second set, 25-21.

North Alabama had a big response in the third period, using offense to gain back the momentum.

UNA had 17 kills and a .234 hitting percentage to take the third set – the highest totals among the sets played. The Lions also had a boost in Tietz, who's eight kills in the set proved instrumental in giving UNA the advantage.

North Alabama jumped out to a 17-11 lead over halfway through the set, but Bellarmine would not go down without a fight. A 9-3 ensuing run from the Knights tied the match at 20-20, with Bellarmine also able to go up 23-21 late in the set. Enter the Lions, who used a clutch 4-0 run off three kills from Tietz and Ricketts to overcome the deficit and take the set, 25-23.

In set four, UNA continued to use the spark from the previous set to jump out to a 7-2 set lead. The Lions maintained their advantage well into the midway point, but Bellarmine was able to tie the match at 15 thanks to a 6-1 run. The teams battled towards the end of the set, but at the 17-17 mark, a 4-1 run by the Knights gave them a late 21-18 lead.

North Alabama needed a response, and they got one with a 4-1 run, including a service ace from sophomore Olivia Fenoff to tie the match at 22-22. The Knights won the next two points with a fifth set ensuing, but two attacking errors from Bellarmine sent the match into a win-by-two situation.

The Lions elevated their game in the extra period, with UNA forcing three match points. None proved more important than the final match point, as what would have been a kill for Bellarmine was challenged and overturned in favor of North Alabama. UNA completed the weekend undefeated with a 30-28 set win in the fourth frame.

North Alabama will begin a four-match roadtrip on Oct. 11, with the Lions first facing the Lipscomb Bisons in Nashville, Tenn. at 6 p.m.

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