Conway – The Central Arkansas volleyball team took part in the Sugar Bear Invitational on Friday, playing a pair of matches. The Sugar Bears opened Southland Conference play with a 3-1 win over New Orleans before closing out the day with a 3-0 win over Grambling State.

In their first match of the day, Central Arkansas (5-6, 1-0 SLC) hit .333 to score the victory over the Privateers (4-8, 0-1 SLC), who hit .172. After the Sugar Bears won the first set 25-23, the Privateers responded with a 25-23 win in the second set. Central Arkansas rebounded though, winning the third set 25-19 before picking up a 25-15 victory in the fourth set. Evie Grace Singleton led the Central Arkansas offense with a match-high 16 kills and five service aces. Heather Schnars added 13 kills and six digs, while Alicia Dittrich chipped in 11 kills. Amy South keyed the Sugar Bear attack, dishing out 44 assists, while Shelbee Berringer led the defense with a match-high 14 digs.

Against Grambling State (1-9), the Sugar Bears hit .356 to earn the sweep, taking the first set 25-11, the second set 25-16, and the third set 25-9. Megan Nash turned in a match-high ten kills while hitting .438 and had a pair of solo blocks, and Singleton and Fulani Petties each tallied nine kills while hitting over .500. South totaled 24 assists and Kristine Hjembo added 13, while Berringer dug eight Lady Tiger attacks.

Central Arkansas returns to the court tomorrow afternoon, taking on UNLV at 3:00 PM.