The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears dropped the final game of the Central Arkansas Invitational to Louisiana Tech on Saturday afternoon.
The Sugar Bears got off to a great start in the tournament, winning both of their matches Friday, one in straight sets, one in a thrilling fifth set. Saturday's result would not be nearly as favorable for UCA.
The start to the Sugar Bears' first set was picture perfect. The first serve by Louisiana Tech was sent into the net for a 1-0 UCA advantage. UCA kept building a lead early, a Marissa McKelvey ace stretched it to 5-1, and they would be off and running after that. UCA sprinted past the Lady Techsters in the first set, winning 25-17, and seemed to have all the momentum.
The Sugar Bears maintained that momentum all the way until the middle of the second set. In a 16-16 tie, Louisiana Tech ran off four straight points, and then fended off a late UCA comeback attempt to secure the second set, 25-20. The Lady Techsters refused to give up momentum in the third set. The score was alternating with neither team really taking a good hold of the lead until it was 12-11 Louisiana Tech, and from there Louisiana Tech had a good thing going. UCA was in deep danger when Louisiana Tech went on a 4-0 run, making it 22-15, a near insurmountable lead. The Sugar Bears didn't show any quit, however, they ran off three in a row to make it a four point game at 23-19, but the Lady Techsters finished off UCA, 25-19.
After taking a big lead in the fourth set, the Sugar Bears looked a little flat, opening the door for a Louisiana Tech comeback. UCA led 13-7, but still left just enough room for Louisiana Tech to creep back into the game. With the Sugar Bears leading 20-19, Louisiana Tech would finish the match, scoring 6 in a row to hand UCA a disappointing loss, and put a bit of a damper on an otherwise good weekend.
In her first weekend at the Prince Center, graduate transfer Kendall Haywood showed poise and was rewarded by being named to the All-Tournament team. Haywood tallied 35 kills on the weekend and was a huge part of the comeback win against Southern Illinois.
The Sugar Bears will be back in action next weekend in Memphis for the Tiger Brawl, taking on Little Rock on Friday September 16th at 9:00 a.m., then the host Memphis Tigers at 7:00 p.m., then will wrap up Saturday at 9:00 a.m. against Arkansas Pine Bluff.
