SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Sugar Bears endured what could only be described as a roller coaster match Saturday afternoon. But when the dust settled, Central Arkansas left Springfield, Mo., 3-0 to start the 2022 campaign. All three games this weekend were team efforts, but this was especially true in Saturday's match against Missouri State.

Early on, it looked like UCA might run away with the contest, as they took the first set from Missouri State 25-17 with relative ease. The Sugar Bears were led by youth once again this weekend as freshman Laci Bohannan tallied five kills and sophomore Jamiryana Hall was not far behind with four. Central Arkansas adjusted well from yesterday, when they dropped the first set in both matches before coming up with three straight set wins in both contests yesterday.

The second set was much of the same, a back and forth affair, and the Sugar Bears fended off a fierce Missouri State run towards the end of the set, taking it 25-22. Hall had five kills in the second set to lead the way for the Sugar Bears. Central Arkansas was thinking sweep early on in the third set, leading 14-11, but relinquished the lead and Missouri State took the set by a score of 25-23.

Missouri State clearly had momentum going into the fourth set, building a commanding 18-13 lead that the Sugar Bears just couldn't dig out of. The Bears clad in Maroon were determined to extend the match to a 5^th set. With momentum now squarely on Missouri State's side, the Sugar Bears would need to rally to win the match.

And rally they did, as Missouri State made a few errors, Central Arkansas brought in fresh legs in Charlie Tidwell, who had a few clutch kills late in the 5^th set. The complete team effort paid off, and UCA took the final set 15-12.

After the game, a few Sugar Bears were recognized for their efforts in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational. Bohannan had a monster weekend and was awarded Tournament MVP. She wasn't the only freshman that showed out, as Caylan Koons was announced to the All-Tournament Team. Finally, Leigh Maher was also announced to the All-Tournament team as well, after ending her first weekend in Purple and Gray with 59 digs.