FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team bounced back in a big way on Saturday, taking matches from Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, both in three sets. The wins push UCA's record to 6-7 and 0-1 in the ASUN.
UCA 3 – MVSU 0
The Sugar Bears got off to an excellent start on Saturday morning following the frustrating loss the night prior. UCA was off an running with a 7-0 run behind two aces by Alexis McDaniel to take a 10-3 lead in the first set. The Sugar Bears immediately ripped off a 10-3 run out of a timeout by Mississippi Valley to take a commanding lead at 20-6. In the second run, freshman Greyson Button started to get comfortable, getting back-to-back-to-back kills. Button with six kills in the first set and would set the tone for a dominant Sugar Bear offensive attack. UCA would cruise to victory in the first set, 25-10.
UCA kept its foot on the gas pedal in the second set, opening with a 7-1 run, once again setting the tone for the entire set. The Devilettes started to chip away and make things more interesting at 10-7. UCA then ripped off five in a row to stretch the lead to 15-7. From there, the Sugar Bears were able to push their way to a set victory, 25-12.
The Devilettes came out strong in the third set, tying it at 5 early. That's when UCA would make its move, tipping off 10 straight points to make it 15-5. The Sugar Bears would not let up, going on a 10-1 run after an answer from MVSU, highlighted by three straight kills by Mackenzie Vernon. UCA took the final set in dominant fashion, scoring 20 of the final 23 points, by the score of 25-7.
Vernon and April Conant finished with 10 kills to lead the Sugar Bears; Button was close behind with nine kills. Caylan Koons pitched in 34 assists, seven digs, and six kills. Lexie Gregory led the team in digs.
UCA 3 – UAPB 0
The second match took the Sugar Bears a little bit to get things going. UAPB started tough and made it difficult for UCA to find separation early. The Sugar Bears found a bit of separation and with the score tied at eight, UCA went on a 5-1 run to make it 13-9. After an answer from the Lady Lions, the Sugar Bears took eight of 10 points to make it 21-12, UCA's biggest lead to that point. The Sugar Bears finished things out with four straight, capped by a service ace by Alexis McDaniel, and UCA took set one, 25-13.
Allison Holloway started off on fire for UCA, pitching in four kills early to fuel a 7-1 opening run. The key run for the Sugar Bears came with a 12-7 lead, and UCA ripped off a 5-1 run to open up a 17-8 lead. The Lady Lions did a good job to break up some of UCA's momentum, but the Sugar Bears gutted out a nice 4-1 run down the stretch highlighted by two kills by Conant, and a kill by Koons. UCA was way out in front of UAPB after taking the second set, 25-14.
UAPB grabbed an early 5-3 advantage, but the Sugar Bears immediately found some separation in a 7-0 run that included three kills from Lilly Taylor and two aces from McDaniel. UAPB once again did a good job of breaking up UCA's moment, even getting within 20-16. However, the Sugar Bears had one final run in them, scoring the last five points in the set, which included two kills from Charleston Tidwell and three straight kills from freshman Gabby Tuiaana, UCA took the third set to sweep its in-state foe, 25-16.
Taylor led the Sugar Bears with 11 kills, Tidwell and Holloway had eight kills each. Koons finished with 40 kills, her seventh match with 40+ kills this season. Gregory once again led the team in digs with 16. McDaniel was a big spark for the Sugar Bears in this match, pitching in four of the team's eight aces on the afternoon.
The Sugar Bears will be back in action Friday, September 22nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Prince Center, when they continue ASUN play against Lipscomb.
