CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team dropped the final game of the Central Arkansas invitational to Southeastern Louisiana in four sets. The Sugar Bears fall to 2-4 on the season with a stand alone match against Colorado State on the horizon.
UCA, coming off a win over its rival Little Rock the night prior, did not get out to a fast start like they may have needed, and SLU got momentum early on. The Lady Lions jumped in front 10-5 early on. A kill from freshman Gabby Tuiaana capped a 4-0 Sugar Bear run and got UCA within reach at 12-11, but Southeastern Louisiana took five straight points to take a 17-11 lead. SLU would later have another big run to take a 23-15 lead. The Sugar Bears tried to get back in it, but the Lady Lions would take the first set, 25-19.
Once again, the Sugar Bears did not get out to a fast start and it would cost them again early on. SLU took an 8-2 lead. UCA got back in it, and even took an 11-10 lead after a 5-0 run capped by an Allison Holloway kill, but the Lady Lions quicky answered and got right back on top. The Lady Lions wouldn't look back the rest of the way, and would take the second set, 25-17.
The Sugar Bears got that fast start that they'd been looking for, taking an 8-3 lead early on. The Sugar Bears would keep pace with SLU's runs, getting crucial kills from Mackenzie Vernon along the way. A key stretch late in the set was a 4-0 run from the Sugar Bears when the score was locked at 20. Freshman Greyson Button did a great job at the net during this stretch, helping UCA secure the third set, 25-21.
The Lady Lions pounced at the opportunity to get momentum back in the fourth set, once again getting some scoring in bunches early. UCA was still getting offensive production from Vernon, but the Lady Lions never surrendered the lead. SLU's biggest run came with the Lady Lions leading 14-9, when SLU rattled off six straight to take a commanding 20-9 lead. UCA fought back after this big punch by the Lady Lions, even getting back-to-back service aces from Alexis McDaniel, but the lead was too much for SLU and the Lady Lions took the fourth set, 25-16.
Vernon had her best performance of the young season with 15 kills, while Caylan Koons put up 40 assists and 13 digs. Lilly Taylor also had a nice afternoon with eight kills. The Freshman Button put up her career high in kills with five.
The Sugar Bears will go to battle again on Sunday, September 3rd at 12:00 p.m. against the Colorado State Rams for a Purple-out game at the Prince Center. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and fans can keep up with the match on X at @UCAVball.
