FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 21, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team concluded its season in the Atlantic Sun Conference Quarterfinal on Thursday, falling in a 3-0 heartbreaker to No. 2 seed Lipscomb in Alico Arena.

The No. 7 Lions faced off against the Bisons for the third time this season, looking to upset Lipscomb in UNA's second-straight conference postseason appearance. Things started slow for North Alabama, but the Lions improved in their offensive production as the match progressed. Strong starts in both the second and third sets resulted in leads for the Lions, but the Bisons were able to overcome the deficits.

Lipscomb advances to the ASUN semifinal round with the win and will face No. 3 seed Central Arkansas tomorrow at 5 p.m. EST.

The Bisons had a solid start to the match, jumping out to an early lead in the first set. North Alabama and Lipscomb began with a 2-2 stalemate, but the Bisons rattled off six-straight to take an 8-2 lead. The start from Lipscomb led to a first-set, 25-16 win, but UNA came out with an improved start in set two.

North Alabama got off to a 6-2 advantage early in the second set. Graduate Jasmine Brooks came out hot with two kills and a solo block to start, and sophomore Meredith Brown and freshman Kinslee McGowan contributed also with a kill and service ace, respectively.

The Lions and Bisons battled in the second, with Lipscomb able to close the gap and tie the match at 10 apiece. Lipscomb went on a 4-2 run to take the lead, but UNA remained competitive as the set came down to the wire. North Alabama was able to stay with the Bisons up to the 21-21 mark, but four-straight points gave Lipscomb the second-set win.

Another tight set was played in the third as the Lions fought to stave off elimination. North Alabama came out with its best offensive performance in the third period, securing 12 kills on .333 hitting as a team along with two service aces and four total blocks. UNA also held a two-point lead at the 13-11 mark, with the Lions securing seven kills from Brooks, sophomore Nicole Sargent and senior Brenna Tietz. McGowan also contributed two service aces in the opening points with the team also solid on defense with three blocks.

Lipscomb responded with an ensuing 5-0 run to retake the lead at 16-13 and followed up with a 5-2 run to stretch its lead to 21-15. The Lions answered right back with three-straight points, but the mid-set run proved too much for UNA to overcome. Leading 21-18, the Bisons outscored UNA 4-2 in the final six points played to win the set and advance to the semifinal round.

In her final match in a Lions' uniform, Brooks left it all on the court with a team-high 18 kills on .486 hitting. It was also a career day on the defensive end for Brooks, who's five total blocks set a new career-high and led the team.

Reigning ASUN Freshman of the Year Reese Ricketts was second on the team with seven kills, while five Lions tied for third with two kills apiece. The dual playmakers of senior Elif Ozsoy and McGowan had 18 and 10 assists, respectively, while McGowan's two aces tied for the match high. Freshman Audrey Small led all Lions with another double-digit dig outing, totaling a match-high 13 digs to round out the match leaders.

With the 2024 season coming to a close, North Alabama looks on to the offseason with the future bright for the program. Third-year head coach Tristan Johnson, fresh off a midseason contract extension, led the Lions to a second-consecutive winning season and appearance in the ASUN Tournament, resulting in five postseason conference honors.

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