LARAMIE, Wyo. - The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team opened the 2010 season with a three-set sweep of Northern Arizona at the UniWyo Wyoming Invite on Friday afternoon. The Sugar Bears downed the Lumberjacks 25-23, 25-18, 25-17.

NAU led 19-15 in the first set, but UCA fought back with three kills from senior right side Chloe Smith during an 8-3 run. The Lumberjacks tied it at 23-all, but sophomore middle blocker Taylor Hammonds ended the set with back-to-back kills.

The Sugar Bears cruised to victories in sets two and three to sweep the match.

UCA connected on 40 kills and had a .228 hitting percentage for the match, while NAU had 29 kills and hit .088. The Sugar Bears also held a 7-3 advantage in service aces and outblocked the Lumberjacks 8-2.

Junior outside hitter Jessica Hays paced Central Arkansas with 14 kills and 13 digs. Smith added 13 kills, seven digs and three block assists. Freshman middle blocker Jessica Nagy led all players with six total blocks to go with four kills and three aces. Junior libero Cristin Curl came up with 11 digs and freshman setter Marissa Collins had 39 assists. Hammonds recorded seven kills and hit a match-best .462.

Lexi Sullivan led NAU with 10 kills and Anna Gott had 12 digs.

The Sugar Bears will take on host Wyoming at 8 p.m. central time Friday night.