Box Score

BEAUMONT, La. - With a three-set sweep over Lamar on Thursday night, the University of Central Arkansas volleyball team extended their Southland Conference winning streak to 30 matches. The Sugar Bears (18-6, 8-0 SLC) topped the Lady Cardinals (8-10, 4-3 SLC) 25-23, 25-21, 25-20 at McDonald Gym to preserve the longest conference winning streak in the country.

"This is another big win on the road," said UCA head coach Steven McRoberts. "I'm proud of the team and the way we fought tonight in a tough environment against the second place team on our side. Lamar has done well at home the last few years.

"We are now three and a half games up on our side in trying to win the east for third straight year. Tonght's win could go a long way to get a high seed in the conference tournament."

Leading the way for UCA was sophomore middle blocker Taylor Hammonds who connected on 13 kills and made no attack errors on 16 attempts. Her .812 hitting percentage was the second best mark in Sugar Bear history and the highest percentage since UCA moved to NCAA Division I in 2006.

"Taylor played amazing," said McRoberts. "She was unstoppable when we got her the ball and we really needed that tonight."

Junior outside hitter Jessica Hays also had 13 kills and three aces. Senior Chloe Smith and freshman Karlie Giesler added seven kills each. Freshman middle blocker Jessica Nagy recorded a season-high five aces, five kills and four blocks. Junior libero Cristin Curl led all players with 11 digs and freshman setter Marissa Collins had 39 assists and seven digs.

For the match, UCA hit .258 and had 45 kills, while Lamar hit .208 with 28 kills. The Sugar Bears served up nine aces, while the Lady Cardinals had five.

Megan McStravick and Jayme Bazile led Lamar with eight and seven kills, respectively.

With the road win, the Sugar Bears are now 18-1 in road conference matches over the past three seasons.

UCA will attempt to extend their streak on Saturday when they face McNeese State in Lake Charles, La.