VERMILLION, SD - Central Arkansas volleyball had a rough day in South Dakota as they dropped both legs of the doubleheader in three sets.

The Sugar Bears could not get their momentum going as they fell to both South Dakota and Bradley 3-0. While the results were not in the right spot, many UCA players showcased potential in this young season. Leading that charge was junior Alexis Stumbough, who had 19 total kills and 15 digs in the two matches. Freshman Mackenzie Vernon hit her stride as she posted 14 kills and four total blocks. Sophomore Lexie Gregory helped on the defensive end as she had 22 digs in the doubleheader. 

UCA vs. South Dakota

Set 1:
The first set was one for the books as both teams competed back and forth until extra points were entered. While UCA did not hit the best, they were able to make the most of the opportunities that they were given. The Sugar Bears boasted a .190 hitting percentage, while South Dakota hosted a .311 percentage. This would be a trend for most of the match as UCA hit a total of .196, while the Coyotes battled with a .333 hitting percentage. While that factor is important, it was not so crucial in the first set as UCA used strategic timing to force extra points. With one South Dakota one point away from claiming the set at 24-23, the Sugar Bears forced a mistake and continued the set. That trend continued as UCA nearly put it away after Stoumbough produced a kill that allowed the Sugar Bears to be one point away. However, South Dakota took the following three points and won it 29-27. 

Set 2:

The second set seemed different than the others as the Coyotes had a firm grasp of the set throughout. The one exception was when UCA started the set 4-0, but that quickly went away. While this was not UCA's set, senior Madi Bowles and Stumbough had a solid set as Stumbough produced four kills and Bowles had two. South Dakota would win this set 25-20 as it took a quick 2-0 lead in the match. 

Set 3:

With two late rallies in the previous sets, the Coyotes were ready to use that momentum in the early goings. They did just that as they took a quick 8-2 lead into the first timeout. However, that did not last long as freshman Allison Holloway took the game into her hands by serving four great balls that led to four straight points and ultimately a UCA 14-12 lead. The rally was short-lived as South Dakota once again regained the lead in the latter portion of the set. Eventually, the Coyotes finished off the Sugar Bears as they won the set 25-22. 

UCA vs. Bradley

Set 1:

The Sugar Bears mimicked their previous match as they went into the first break trailing 8-2. However, Stumbough stopped the Braves' fun, as she helped propel the rally to a lead with back-to-back kills to make it 12-11. From that point, it was back and forth, with UCA holding a slight edge before Bradley reared back to take the lead late 21-19. That late lead pushed it for the Braves as they won the set 25-23. 

Set 2:

Once again, the Sugar Bears fell behind early but continued to battle back as multiple UCA players got on the stat sheet. In the middle of the set, Vernon added two kills to help the pushback (ended with four in the set). Sophomore Sarah Struss even helped out in the action as she got her first kill of the season when she scored the Sugar Bears their 16th point. Unfortunately, the lead amassed by Bradley was too much as they scored six out of seven points in the middle of the set. That paired with a strong finish gifted the second set to the Braves 25-20.  

Set 3:

The third set mainly was all Bradley, as they held the lead throughout the entire set. The Sugar Bears gained some push in the late stages as they scored four straight points to make it 18-14. In those four points, one big play to mention was the work of freshman Lily Taylor, who put out an excellent serve for a service ace. That play forced the Braves into a timeout, but it was all said and done once they came out. Bradley went on a massive surge and finished out the set 25-15 and the match 3-0. 

Sugar Bears will continue their stay in the South Dakota Classic as they battle Milwaukee tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

Quote from head coach John Newberry:
"We knew it was going to be a tough day. We have a young team and we are trying to get more involved for experience purposes. It's a tough process to put this puzzle together. We will continue to learn from the past and raise our standards."