Columbia, Mo. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team dropped the opening match of the 2023 season against the Colgate Raiders on Friday. UCA took the opening set, but would quickly fall behind thereafter.
In set one, the Sugar Bears were able to get out in front early and keep pace with some late runs by Colgate. With Colgate looking to make a late threat, the Sugar Bears got kills from junior Lilly Taylor and senior Macy Blackburn to shut the door in set one by a score of 25-22.
The opening sequence in set two was a pivotal one, with the Raiders jumping out to a 6-0 lead out the gate. The Sugar Bears would have to dig themselves out of an early hole if they wanted to take a crucial 2-0 set lead. An ace by Allison Holloway got UCA to within 8-6, but Colgate took off from there and the Sugar Bears would be fighting an uphill battle the rest of the way, as the Raiders evened things up, taking the set 25-15.
In the third set, a Lexi Gregory ace capped off a 3-0 run which gave UCA an 11-6 lead that forced a Colgate timeout. After UCA took a 14-7 lead, Colgate went on a 10-2 run to take the lead, 17-16. UCA's inability to keep that lead would be its undoing, as the Raiders overpowered the Sugar Bears to take the set 25-22 and take a 2-1 advantage.
At points in the fourth set, it looked like UCA would even things up and force a fifth set. After a back-and-forth start, an ace from Taylor gave UCA the lead, 15-14, going into the media timeout. Later, a 3-0 run gave UCA the lead back at 23-21 and forced Colgate to take a timeout. From that point, Colgate scored six of the final eight points scored to put UCA away and take the final set 27-25.
Holloway led the team with 11 kills and also had two blocks and an ace. Blackburn was second on the team with nine kills, and also totaled four blocks. Despite not getting the start Charlie Tidwell pitched in eight kills, three digs, and an ace. Caylan Koons got off to a strong start to the season with 39 kills.
UCA will get back in action on Saturday, August 26th at 10:00 a.m. against Illinois State, and then will close out the Mizzou Classic against the host Missouri Tigers at 7:00 p.m. Fans will be able to watch the Missouri game on SEC Network+ and follow along on Twitter at @UCAVball.
