HOUSTON (September 18, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team travels to Texas this weekend for the Cougar Challenge at Houston from Sept. 19-20.
The Lions close out their invitational slate with matches against McNeese State, Houston and Liberty. UNA will meet former Atlantic Sun Conference member Liberty, which competed in the league from 2018-23. The event also features first-ever matchups against McNeese and Houston.
North Alabama opens on Friday, Sept. 19 against McNeese at 4 p.m. The Lions conclude the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 20, with two matches — Houston at 1 p.m. and Liberty at 4 p.m.
All matches will be played at the Fertitta Center on the Houston campus. Tickets are available for each day of the invite and are on sale now through the Houston ticket office.
Live stats will be available for all three matches through StatBroadcast. The North Alabama-Houston matchup will also stream on ESPN+.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following the action each day, but fans can also follow along in real time on the UNA Volleyball social media pages.
MATCH 1
North Alabama vs. McNeese
Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
4 p.m.
Live Stats | Tickets | Twitter
MATCH 2
North Alabama at Houston
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
1 p.m.
Watch | Live Stats | Tickets | Twitter
MATCH 3
North Alabama vs. Liberty
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
4 p.m.
Live Stats | Tickets | Twitter
NOTES
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama sports a 5-5 record after a 2-1 week last time out. The Lions opened with a sweep over Samford on Sept. 9, marking the first win over the Bulldogs since 1997. UNA hosted the Noona Kennard Volleyball Tournament from Sept. 12-14 and earned a second-straight sweep with a win over Western Carolina on Sept. 12. The weekend finale saw North Alabama battle Alabama on Sept. 14. The Lions-Crimson Tide match drew 2,106 fans for the largest attendance in program history. Alabama won 3-1 in a competitive bout.
DISHING DIMES: Sophomore Kinslee McGowan has been the point guard for the North Alabama Volleyball offense. She's second in the ASUN in assists per set (9.89) and leads with 366 assists as of Sept. 17. McGowan tallied her 500th career assist against Alabama A&M on Sept. 2. The sophomore earned her first career ASUN Setter of the Week award on Sept. 8.
KENDALL ON THE ATTACK!: Junior Kendall Barnes has been UNA's leader on the attack, leading the team with 131 kills. As of Sept. 17, she ranks second in the ASUN in total kills and third in kills per set (3.54). Barnes has 145 points on the season to rank third in the conference for points per set (3.92).
REESE THE RELIABLE: Sophomore Reese Ricketts is coming into form in her second season. She's second on the team with 98 kills and ranks 10th in the ASUN with 2.8 kills per set. Ricketts has contributed defensively with 79 digs (fourth on the team) and 11 blocks.
ACING THE COMPETITION: Service ace extraordinaire Olivia Fenoff has provided added offense, totaling 20 on the season. Her 20 aces lead the ASUN and her 0.54 ace per set average is second. She also set a career mark with her 50th service ace against Grambling State on Aug. 30.
GET YOUR SHOVELS: Junior Ava Martindale has gotten off to a great start in her first season at North Alabama. She ranks fourth in the ASUN with 136 total digs and sixth in digs per set (3.68).
AMONG THE RANKS: UNA is ranked nationally in a number of individual statistics. McGowan is eighth in the NCAA in total assists while 39th in assists per set. Fenoff is 16th nationally in total service aces and 50th in aces per set.
MAKING THEIR MARK: The new faces for UNA Volleyball have been impactful early on the season. Martindale set a career high in digs against Southeast Missouri, with Barnes tallying a career-high 21 kills against Alabama A&M. Freshman Jenna Kolosta has also had a solid start at middle blocker with a season stat line of 58 kills, 26 blocks and 16 digs. Kolosta earned her first ASUN Freshman of the Week honor on Sept. 8. Junior Jessi Ritchhart has also contributed with a Division I career-high 12 digs against SEMO.
SCOUTING MCNEESE: The Cowgirls head to Houston with a 4-5 record. McNeese's last outing resulted in a 3-1 home win vs. Southern on Sept. 16. McNeese is third in the Southland Conference in digs (15.59 per set), opponent assists (10.68) and opponent kills (12.00). The leader in season points and kills is D'Nari Mills with 120.5 and 111 kills, respectively. McNeese is sixth in the Southland volleyball standings. Fourth-year head coach Sasha Karelov leads the Cowgirls.
SCOUTING HOUSTON: The Cougars enter the home invitational at 5-3 on the season. Houston looks to get back in the win column after falling to No. 3 Kentucky in three-sets on Sept. 14. Houston's last win came on Sept. 5 in a 3-0 home victory against Omaha. Brenya Reid leads the team with 93.5 points and 82 kills. Houston is led by David Rehr in his seventh season.
SCOUTING LIBERTY: The Lady Flames hit the road at 9-1 on the season. Liberty has won five of its last six contests, last time out defeating Radford in five-sets on Sept. 15. The Lady Flames are led in points and kills by Paige Overcash with 165 and 153, respectively. Overcash earned her third-straight Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15. Liberty is tied for first in the Conference USA overall record standings with UTEP. The head coach in his first season is Jeremy White.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY FLAMES: The Lions look for their first win over Lady Flames in the 11th all-time meeting. This will mark the first meeting since 2022.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
