FORT MYERS, Fla. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Florida Gulf Coast on the road. The loss drops UCA to 6-12 on the season and 0-6 in ASUN play.
The Sugar Bears hung in tough in set one, starting with a 5-1 lead that eventually turned into an 8-4 lead. However, the Eagles answered shortly after to make it 9-9. Later, the Sugar Bears took a two-point lead at 19-17, but unfortunately for the Sugar Bears, it would be the last lead they would have down the stretch and took at 24-22 lead and put all the pressure on UCA. A Laci Bohannan kill brought UCA within a point at 24-23, but the Eagles finished off the Sugar Bears, 25-23 and took a 1-0 set lead.
The Eagles were the ones that got off to a god start this time, leading 8-4 out the gate. The Sugar Bears got close at 11-9, but then FGCU had a 5-1 run to gain some separation at 16-10. Another 4-0 run made it 21-12 and that would nearly put it out of reach, The Sugar Bears would put three straight on the board to make it 21-16, but the Eagles handled it and finished UCA off, 25-16.
UCA rebounded with a much better effort to open up the third set, taking an 11-8 lead off of a 5-0 run that featured two Kills from April Conant and an ace from Caylan Koons. UCA kept the lead all the way until it was 21-19, when FGCU ran off five in a row to take a 24-21 lead. UCA answered back with three straight to make it a 25-24 game, but the Eagles hit on two straight to end the match and win the third set, 26-24.
Mackenzie Vernon led the team with 11 kills, while Bohannan was just behind with nine kills. Caylan Koons had 32 assists as well as four service aces, a season high. Lexie Gregory was just one dig short of her career high that she set earlier this season.
The Sugar Bears will hit the road one last time this upcoming weekend before a long home stand. The Sugar Bears travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on Queens on Friday, October 13th. Then on Sunday, October 15th, UCA travels to Kennesaw, Georgia to take on The Owls of Kennesaw State.
