CONWAY, Ark.: After a busy week with two matches, the University of Central Arkansas (5-5 SLC 3-2) returns with two games in three days.
The Sugar Bears will have a quick road trip this week as they travel to Natchitoches, La. That match against Northwestern State takes place Tuesday before they come home to face Lamar on Thursday.
It will be a long week for UCA as they play two quick games in a short time span. However, they are given some leniency as they face two teams looking to find their identity. These two matches are another chance for UCA to make up ground in the conference and continue to get success from their youth. One of UCA's biggest rising stars is freshman outside hitter Charlie Tidwell. Tidwell led the Sugar Bears in kills against New Orleans with eight and was second on the team in blocks against McNeese with eight. Another player on the rise is sophomore Anna Williams. The setter helped out senior Bailey Waddington this week as the two combined for 78 assists in the two matches.
Beginning the short-lived road trip, the Sugar Bears will battle the Lady Demons. Northwestern State is 2-4 on the season and 0-4 in conference play. The slow start doesn't tell the whole story as the team is just one year removed from their 11-5 conference record in 2019. This season, the Lady Demons haven't had that same spark as they have been bested 12-1 in their past four games. Regardless of record, this team has potential as they were picked to finish sixth in the conference. Defensively the Lady Demons are the most successful as sophomore Haley Hoang leads them. Hoang is first on the team in digs as she has racked up 129 and only committed four errors on 108 touches for a .972 receiving percentage.
Inbetween the Lady Demons match and the Sugar Bears enjoying a week break before their next match is a home match against Lamar on Thursday. Similar to Northwestern State's story, the Cardinals have struggled throughout the early goings of the season. Lamar is 1-8 overall with a 1-3 record, with their only victory coming last Tuesday against Northwestern State. The Cardinals are strongest from their offensive end as sophomore Kaitlyn Gil leads them. Gil hosts a team-high 82 kills for a solid 2.83 kills per set.
The beginning of the week starts tomorrow as they face the Lady Demons at 6:30 p.m. in Natchitoches, La. After that match, the Sugar Bears come home as they match up with Lamar at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the Farris Center.
