Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. - Junior outside hitter Jessica Hays recorded 16 kills on Thursday night and became the fifth volleyball player in Central Arkansas history to reach the 1,000-career kill mark, as the Sugar Bears swept Lamar in three sets at the Prince Center. Hays, a native of Friendswood, Texas, joined senior Chloe Smith, UCA's career kills leader with 1,598, in the exclusive club.

The 25-23, 25-23, 26-24 win made UCA (23-7, 12-1) the outright champion of the Southland Conference East Division, while Lamar (11-13, 7-6) remains in second place. The Sugar Bears remain in a tie with UTSA for the overall regular season title.

After a tough-fought first set, UCA had a 23-19 lead in the second frame. The Lady Cardinals got three kills from Tina Hobbs and a pair of winners Sierra Whittaker to cut the score to 24-23. A kill from Sugar Bear sophomore Taylor Hammonds secured the 23-25 second set victory.

A kill by sophomore middle blocker Wendy Krell put Lamar up 23-21 in the third set. UCA answered with kills from Hays and junior libero Cristin Curl and a service ace by Marissa Collins to take a 24-23 lead. LU tied the set at 24-24 after an error by Hays, but a Smith kill and a Hays ace won the match for the Sugar Bears.

UCA outhit Lamar .300 to .235 and had a 50-37 kills advantage.

In addition to Hays' 16 kills, Smith had 15 and middle blocker Jessica Nagy knocked down eight. Hammonds added seven kills and had two solo blocks. Curl led all players with 15 digs and Collins recorded 41 assists.

Megan McStravick led the Lady Cardinals with 12 kills and Angel Colyar had 12 digs. Alex Morford had 30 assists.

The Sugar Bears will try to extend their 27-match home winning streak against McNeese State on Saturday at 1 p.m.