FLORENCE, Ala. (September 26, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team secured its first Atlantic Sun Conference win Friday night with a three-set home sweep over Austin Peay in CB&S Bank Arena.
The Lions (7-7) rung in conference play with a strong performance in "the Bank" over the Governors. North Alabama defeated Austin Peay for the fifth time in six matches, while also earning its third win at home this season. The victory additionally marked the third sweep at home and second in the last four matches.
UNA's offense led the way with a season-high .330 hitting percentage.
Junior Kendall Barnes and sophomore Reese Ricketts finished first and second in match kills, ending the night with 13 and 12, respectively. Barnes had an efficient night with a .321 hitting percentage, while Ricketts provided a solid .267. Sophomore Dylann Garner rounded out the top three with eight kills on a team-leading .538 hitting percentage.
Reigning ASUN Setter of the Week Kinslee McGowan dished out a match-high 37 assists, and sophomore Lankford Gurner's career-high four service aces finished as the match high. Gurner additionally led in digs with 12, and junior Nicole Sargent tallied a match-high five blocks.
The Lions came out the gates firing in set one, using an offensive explosion to take the first set. North Alabama's .583 hitting percentage led the charge with UNA totaling 16 kills. The Governors won the opening point, but it was all North Alabama from that point on. The Lions led by as many as 13 points en route to a 25-16 triumph.
Set two was the most competitive, but UNA held off the Governors to double the lead. Even throughout the early parts of the frame, a key 7-2 run proved the difference for UNA. Both teams were tied at 11 when Garner and Gurner led the run to take a five-point lead at 18-13. Gurner's two aces and Garner's two kills were key in the run. Austin Peay surged back and made it 24-23 at one point, but Ricketts had the final kill to end the frame in UNA's favor.
Another mid-point run from the Lions helped see the match out in set three. Leading 10-7, UNA went on an 8-2 run to all but confirm the home win. A kill each from McGowan, Ricketts and Garner led offensively, but the defense proved key with two blocks from Sargent with Garner and Ricketts. The run made the scoreline 18-9, but the Governors made it interesting with a late rally. The visitors cut the lead to 24-20, but Ricketts once again tallied the final kill.
UP NEXT
The Lions continue their conference home slate in CB&S Bank Arena on Sunday, Sept. 28 against the Lipscomb Bisons at 1 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
