DeLand, Fla.-
The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears added two more straight-set victories to their collection today, pushing that tally to four, and their record to a perfect 5-0 on the season. The five match, season-opening win streak marks the Sugar Bears’ longest since they opened the 2007 season with 11 straight victories.

Playing in the first round of the Stetson Clarion Classic, the Sugar Bears opened the day by beating Hampton University 25-16, 25-13, 25-19. Central Arkansas hit .330 for the match, led by Alicia Dittrich and Heather Schnars, who both hit .500 en route to seven and five kills respectively. Junior setter Marissa Collins, coming off an all-tournament performance at last weekend’s Southern Miss Invitational keyed the Central Arkansas attack by gathering 43 assists. Jessica Nagy, also coming off an all-tournament performance led the Sugar Bears with eight kills, hitting .333.

The Sugar Bears then faced off with host Stetson, gathering a straight set victory by scores of 25-25-17, 25-14, 25-18. The Sugar Bears hit .260 for the match, led by Dittrich who hit .875 on her way to seven kills. She also contributed three service aces. Senior Jessica Hays led the team in kills, gathering eight. Collins collected 31 assists to help propel the attack.

The Sugar Bears return to the court tomorrow morning, squaring off with Wofford at 8:00 in the morning and playing Florida Atlantic  at 2:00 in the afternoon. They take the court at the Prince Center in Conway for the first time on Thursday night, hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the opening match of the Sugar Bear Classic. They battle Jackson State and South Dakota on Saturday, before closing the tournament by playing Jacksonville State on Sunday.