MARTIN, Tenn. (September 7, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team swept an opponent for the second-consecutive match and the third time in four matches, defeating the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Lions, 3-0, at the Skyhawk Invitational in Martin, Tenn.

The Lions also defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a second straight season, improving to a 3-4 record. UNA was tested early, with the Lions able to hold a small advantage over APBU in the opening set. Despite the test in the set, North Alabama held strong to secure the set win, and ultimately, the match to finish the weekend in Tennessee.

Freshman Reese Ricketts led all attackers with a season and career-high 17 kills, also totaling a career-high three blocks. The Harrison, Ark. native earned Skyhawk Invitational All-Tournament honors after totaling 46 kills on a .252 attacking percentage, 35 digs and six blocks on the weekend at UT Martin.

Freshman Dylann Garner had the first breakout game of her young career, finishing the match with a season-high 12 kills on a .450 hitting percentage. Rounding out the top three in kills was senior Brenna Tietz with eight, finishing with less than 13 kills for only the third time this season. Tietz also secured an All-Tournament team selection after registering 30 kills on a .314 hitting percentage to go with eight digs and seven blocks.

Freshman Nicole Sargent led North Alabama with a career-high three service aces, also leading the team alongside Ricketts with three blocks. Senior Elif Ozsoy had a game-high 22 assists, and freshman libero Audrey Small led all players with 15 digs.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff jumped out to an early 5-3 lead to begin the match, but the Lions responded with six-straight points to take a 9-5 lead. UNA maintained its advantage for the majority of the set, with the largest North Alabama lead being six points. The Lions secured 16 kills in the opening set, and although Arkansas-Pine Bluff stayed within distance, the freshmen duo of Ricketts and Garner sparked the offense with seven and five kills, respectively.

North Alabama held a 22-16 advantage in the opening set when APBU went on a 5-0 run to cut the score to 22-21. Despite the Arkansas-Pine Bluff comeback attempt, two errors and a solo block from Sargent clinched the first set for the UNA Lions, 25-22.

It was all UNA to begin the second set, with the offense igniting and jumping out to an 11-1 lead. Four of Ricketts' five second-set kills came in the opening scoring run, also assisted by two service aces from Sargent. Arkansas-Pine Bluff's offense struggled in the second set, hitting at a minus-.027-attack percentage and allowing the Lions to take advantage with 11 second-set kills to go with four service aces and four blocks. North Alabama dominated the frame to take a 2-0 lead with a 25-17 result in the second.

The third set opened with UNA earning the early advantage with a 6-2 lead. APBU answered with a 6-1 run to take an 8-7 lead, but North Alabama's offense came alive with a 7-1 scoring response. Two kills from Garner led the way in the scoring run, with Tietz adding another kill and Ozsoy securing a service ace.

UNA maintained the advantage through the set, holding on to a narrow lead as APBU attempted to mount another rally. Arkansas-Pine Bluff cut the lead to two with UNA leading 20-18, but five-straight points from the North Alabama offense secured the sweep over the Lady Lions with a 25-18 set win.

North Alabama's next outing will come at the UNA Invitational from Sept. 13-14, hosted in CB&S Bank Arena. The Lions will open the invitational against Arkansas State, playing the Red Wolves on Friday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.