HOUSTON, Texas – Yesterday's 3-0 loss to Houston had the Sugar Bears looking to have a fast start on Saturday versus two very solid opponents.
The match versus Oregon State on Saturday morning unfolded much like the match versus Houston the morning prior. The Sugar Bears fought hard in the opening set, however a late surge by the Beavers put it out of reach, as they scored six of the last nine points in the last set to put it in the win column for OSU. The start of the second match spelled disaster for the Sugar Bears. They found themselves in a 10-5 hole early on. UCA never quit and fought their way to an 18-17 lead late, forcing an Oregon State timeout. The Beavers came out of the timeout prepared, however, as they outscored UCA 8-3 to end the set and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match. The third match was started off scorching hot by Oregon State, as it was 8-2 before a Jamiryana Hall kill to make it a bit closer. Oregon State never relented, however and they sprinted to the finish, winning the third set 25-16.
This match was the first action of the season for Anna Myers, a junior who started 14 games last year. Myers pitched in a block and 3 assists in the contest. Jamiryana Hall led the Sugar Bears with 7 kills in Saturdays morning action.
Facing the Alabama Crimson Tide hailing from the SEC was the perfect opportunity for the Sugar Bears to prove where they were as a team early on. For the third straight time this weekend, the Sugar Bears dropped the first set. A fast start is really what the Sugar Bears needed and the Tide denied them, forcing UCA to make an uphill trek in search of a victory. The Sugar Bears, however, battled back and after an early run from Alabama, really dominated the second set for the first time all weekend. A 25-16 set win was truly a breath of fresh air for UCA, but Alabama would not relent taking the third set 25-17 and the fourth and final set by a score of 25-21.
Jamiryana Hall tallied 11 kills and is stacking several good games in a row, which is big for the Sugar Bears, as Hall is just a sophomore. Mackenzie Vernon and Kendall Haywood added 8 and 6 kills respectively. Caylan Koons continues to have some solid performances in 2022, as she added 29 assists.
The Sugar Bears will return home and host Louisiana Monroe, Southern Illinois, and Louisiana Tech at the Prince center this weekend, September 9th- 10th.
