FLORENCE, Ala. (September 13, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team dropped their opening two matches of the UNA Invitational on Friday against tough opponents, falling 3-1 to Arkansas State and 3-0 to UAB inside CB&S Bank Arena.

After day one, the Lions moved to 3-6 overall on the season, with Arkansas State and UAB finishing with two wins on the day to improve to 7-1 and 5-2, respectively.

Hosting the two-day tournament, the Lions began the day against the visiting Red Wolves. UNA got out to a hot start, winning the opening set, 25-20. North Alabama capitalized on 10 attacking and four service errors from the Red Wolves, also finding offense with three kills from freshman Reese Ricketts and service aces from senior Katy Floyd and freshman Kinslee McGowan.

The Red Wolves' offense found their rhythm in second-set, using a match-high .333 team attack percentage to take the frame, 25-16. A battle in the third set saw nine ties and three lead changes, as both teams competed to gain the set advantage heading to the fourth. Both teams remained even up to the 20-20 scoring mark, but a 5-1 run from Arkansas State proved to be the difference with the Red Wolves taking the third set, 25-21.

The final set opened with Arkansas State scoring five-straight points, but UNA worked its way back as the set went on. The Lions trailed by as many as six in the set but were able to cut the deficit to as little as two in the latter half.

With the score 20-14 to the Red Wolves, North Alabama responded with a 6-2 run fueled by kills each from Ricketts and Floyd, along with sophomore Nicole Sargent and senior Brenna Tietz. UNA trimmed the lead to 22-20 as the set ended, but Arkansas State held off a resurging North Alabama offense to take the opening win.

The Lions looked on to in-state rival UAB in the final match of the day, but the Blazers proved up to the challenge with a 3-0 victory over UNA. UAB opened with two opening wins in set one and two, with the final set proving to be a competitive frame.

UNA used a match-high 14 kills in the third frame to spark momentum, forcing seven ties and two lead changes. Despite another offensive rally in the final set, UAB went on to defeat UNA in straight sets.

The attacking duo of Ricketts and Tietz led with 19 and 18 kills, respectively, while senior Elif Ozsoy and McGowan registered a respective 28 and 25 assists.

Freshman Audrey Small totaled a team-high 32 digs across both contests, and Sargent continued to be a defensive presence at the net with a leading eight blocks. McGowan and Floyd led the day with two service aces each to round out the leaders after day one.

North Alabama will look to end the weekend on a high note against Jacksonville State, concluding the UNA Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.

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