FLORENCE, Ala. (November 10, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team dropped a 3-1 result Sunday afternoon to the Lipscomb Bisons in the regular-season home finale.
Taking on the Bisons in a rematch from Oct. 11, the Lions (15-12, 9-5 ASUN) were determined return the favor to Lipscomb (16-10, 13-2 ASUN) from the previous matchup and send the seniors off on a high note on Senior Day. The Senior Day energy was brought early from North Alabama, getting off to a fast start to take the first set against the Bisons. Lipscomb took the second set after an improved overall performance, setting up a competitive matchup between top-five Atlantic Sun Conference teams.
The final two sets were determined by a total of seven combined points, but the Bisons fended off two UNA rallies to complete the season sweep over North Alabama. After an early Lions' advantage in set three, Lipscomb took the lead midway and held on to take the 2-1 set lead. Another early lead change in favor of the Bisons proved enough in the fourth frame, withstanding the UNA comeback to win its 16th season match.
Despite the result, the Lions received solid efforts from their Senior Day honorees. Graduate Jasmine Brooks and senior Katy Floyd each tied for 20 kills to lead the team. Floyd finished with her season high in single-match kills, just one kill shy of tying her career high of 21. Brooks capped her final home contest with her fifth match of 20 or more kills on the season.
Freshman Kinslee McGowan registered a team-high 24 assists on the afternoon, while senior Elif Ozsoy contributed 21 assists in her final UNA home match. Four Lions secured a service ace each with freshmen Audrey Small, Lankford Gurner and McGowan contributing one along with Floyd. Sophomore Olivia Fenoff lead with 14 digs while freshman Amelia Keating totaled two blocks to lead the team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1: UNA 25, LU 23
Round one went in favor of the Lions, with the UNA using a great offensive start to gain the first set point. The back-and-forth set had four lead changes, with neither team able to gain a substantial advantage. North Alabama took the early 7-4 lead, but Lipscomb used a 9-4 run to gain back the upper hand. The Bisons stayed in front until the 16-16 mark, when two kills from Floyd gave the Lions a two-point cushion. Lipscomb continued to climb back into the set, but UNA held on to win the frame, 25-23. Floyd led the Lions with seven early kills, pacing the offense towards the early set victory.
SET 2: LU 25, UNA 9
Lipscomb got the response it needed in the second frame, using its best offensive set performance to even the match at one point apiece. The Bisons hit .550 on the attack and proved solid defensively with four team blocks to counter the UNA attack. Despite four set kills and a .500 hitting percentage for Brooks, the Bisons and Lions looked on to set three with Lipscomb taking the frame.
SET 3: LU 25, UNA 21
The Bisons and Lions played a more competitive third set, but an early run from Lipscomb proved enough to fend off a UNA rally. North Alabama began with the early advantage, leading by as many as two with a 5-3 score line. A response came from the Bisons with an ensuing 4-0 run, taking a 7-5 lead before increasing the advantage to three at 10-7. The Lions kept the score close as the set went on, cutting the Lipscomb lead to as little as one, but timely offense kept UNA at bay en route to the Bisons' 2-1 set advantage. Lipscomb wins the third set, with the Lions need a response in the fourth.
SET 4: LU 25, UNA 22
UNA responded with an improved attack percentage in set four, but contributions from the service line proved the difference with Lipscomb able to win the final set. The Lions hit for more kills and a higher team hitting percentage than the Bisons (17 kills/.282 hitting percentage to Lipscomb's 14 and .244), but the Bison's 3-0 service ace advantage was key in the set victory. UNA started with the early lead in the fourth set, building a lead as high as three with the offense clicking. The Bisons eventually settled in, taking their first set lead at the 10-9 mark after working their way back from the deficit. North Alabama made sure to stay with range in the frame, never allowing Lipscomb to muster a larger lead than three and even taking a brief 14-13 lead over the Bisons. Lipscomb re-took the lead back with two-straight points, setting up a close-knit battle as both teams looked to win the set. In the end, the slim margin was enough for the Bisons to take the match in Florence, winning in four sets with a 25-22 set triumph.
UP NEXT
The Lions cap the regular season with a Kentucky roadtrip Nov. 14 & 16 at Bellarmine and EKU. UNA first takes on the Knights, scheduled for a 6 p.m. first serve.
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