CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team fell to the Queens Royals in three sets on Friday evening. The two teams came into the match winless in conference play, and UCA came out at 0-7, with a 6-13 overall record.
The Sugar Bears did not lead until the first point of the second set, a Queens error. UCA didn't force a tie in the first set, but finally tied the second set at three in part to a Laci Bohannan kill. Bohannan ended last season with 111 kills in 2022 due to a season-ending injury at the start of conference play. Steadily, she has come back to form in 2023, stringing together some solid performances recently, and she was huge for the Sugar Bears on Friday night. UCA kept things tight all night, but it was the Royals that got a clutch run down the stretch to pull away and take a commanding two set lead with a 25-22 win.
UCA needed a strong start to get back in the mix, and they did just that, using a 6-1 run to take a 12-9 lead. Unfortunately, Queens answered right back and tied things at thirteen. The two teams exchanged points for a while, but again it was Queens that got a late run to seal things. The Royals hit on four of five to close things out with a 25-23 set victory.
Bohannan had the hot hand for the Sugar Bears and cashed in on 23 kills, her season high, as well as five digs. Mackenzie Vernon was the next closest scorer with nine kills and three digs. Caylan Koons tallied 36 assists and six digs, while Alexis McDaniel led the way with 20 digs.
The Sugar Bears are back in action in the Peach State on Sunday, October 15th to close out the prolonged road stretch at Kennesaw State at 12:00 p.m. The match will be streamed on the KSU Owl Network and, as always, fans can keep up with the match on Twitter/X at @UCAVball.
