HUNTSVILLE, Texas. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team fought hard, but in the end dropped their first five-set match of the 2011 season at the hands of Sam Houston State Thursday night at the Johnson Coliseum.

Coming into the match, UCA (5-8, 1-1) was 4-0 in five-set matches this season. Sam Houston State (8-7, 2-0) was able to rally to victories of 25-16 in the fourth set and 15-8 in the fifth to secure the victory.

Despite the loss, junior middle blocker Taylor Hammonds was impressive for the Sugar Bears. The Tomball, Texas native earned a season-best 15 kills while hitting .379.

The Bearkats came out and took the first set with a 25-20 victory. UCA came right back in the second set, hitting .280 while holding SHSU to a mark of just -.065 to even the match at 1-1. In the third set, the Sugar Bears used an 11-3 run to tie the game at 20 apiece after falling behind 17-9. Jessica Nagy was key down the stretch in the third game picking up a kill and a service ace to lead UCA to the 28-26 third-set victory. SHSU turned up the heat however, hitting .357 and .333 respectively in the final two sets to hold off the Sugar Bear rally.

Nagy finished the evening with eight kills and two aces for UCA. Lindsey Barron continued her strong performance in the absence of senior outside hitter Jesssica Hays, posting 12 kills and two digs. Freshman outside hitter Taylor Whileyman earned double-digit kills for the second time this season with 12. Marissa Collins also earned her third double-double of the 2011 campaign with 50 assists and 12 digs.

Leading the way for the Bearkats was Kaylee Hawkins who tallied 18 kills and 15 digs. Kim Black posted 11 kills and 11 blocks in the match while Kym Loving earned 46 assists and eight digs of her own.

For the match, the Bearkats out-hit UCA .206 to .175 and earned 15 total team blocks compared to just seven by the Sugar Bears. UCA held an 85-84 advantage in digs but lost the service ace battle 8-7.

UCA will return to action on Saturday in Nacogdoches, Texas when they take on Stephen F. Austin. The Sugar Bears are 4-3 all time against SFA, with UCA winning last year in 2010 3-1. Match time Saturday is set for 3 p.m.