CARROLLTON, Ga. (October 17, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team earned its first true road win of the season Friday evening in a three-set triumph over West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga.
North Alabama (11-9, 5-2 ASUN) continued its winning ways in conference play, handling business in the victory over West Georgia (2-18, 0-7). A full-team display on both offense and defense led the Lions to their third-straight victory.
UNA also tallied its ninth-straight win over the Wolves in the first trip to Carrollton since 2017, when both teams were members of Division II in the Gulf South Conference.
Leading the attack were sophomores Dylann Garner and Reese Ricketts along with junior Kendall Barnes. Garner was hitting her targets all night with a team-high 14 kills on an efficient .522 hitting percentage. Barnes finished second with 11 kills, and Ricketts registered a near double-double with nine kills on .333 hitting with 11 digs.
Reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Setter of the Week Kinslee McGowan continued her excellent form with a match-high 39 assists. Freshman Ally Greenwell was the lone Lion to secure a service ace, earning her second of the season.
Defensively, junior Ava Martindale was the match leader with 15 digs. Sophomore Amelia Keating registered three blocks to lead the match.
North Alabama set the tone in the first frame, leading wire-to-wire to earn the first point. The Lions jumped out to a 6-1 lead and never looked back with UNA's 14 set kills and one service ace pacing the way. Garner came out the gates firing with five kills, but the Lions' defense made the difference by holding West Georgia to a negative-.025 hitting. North Alabama won set one, 25-16.
West Georgia provided a challenge early in set two by taking a 6-2 advantage. UNA found its rhythm shortly after, closing the gap to eventually take the lead at 13-12. The Lions never trailed again thanks to their attacking prowess across the set. North Alabama hit for a match-high .516 percent with 17 kills as three Lions secured four kills each in McGowan, Barnes and Garner. UNA took the 2-0 set advantage with a 25-19 win.
UNA saw the match out in set three with solid displays on both sides of the net. The Lions hit for a .364 attack percentage while holding the Wolves to .024 hitting. North Alabama additionally tallied two blocks to add to the defensive display. Garner and Barnes proved key with five kills each while both hitting .500 percent on the attack. Garner led with .571 percent while Barnes registered a .500 hitting percentage, helping UNA earn the sweep with a 25-15 victory.
The Lions continue the road trip on Sunday with a trip to Charlotte, N.C. to face Queens at noon CT.
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