CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team fell in three sets at home to Austin Peay on Sunday afternoon. With the loss, the Sugar Bears drop to 6-9 overall, and 0-3 in the conference.
Early on, the two teams were just trying to get a feel for each other, and there was not much separation to be had. Once Austin Peay snagged some momentum, things changed very quickly, The Govs took a 10-10 tie to a 17-12 advantage in a blink. UCA tried to get back in the thick of things with a 4-0 run to get within 20-18, but the Sugar Bears were unable to overcome the deficit, losing the first set, 25-19.
UCA came out with a little more fire after allowing a big run down the stretch of the first set. The Sugar Bears answered a 3-0 run from APSU with a 3-0 run of their own to tie things at 11 all. Unfortunately, the Govs went on a 5-0 run after that to take an 18-13 lead. Down 23-18, UCA ran off four points in a row on the back of two aces from Allison Holloway to get within one at 23-22. Ultimately, the Govs would take the set, 25-23, and UCA had a big hole to dig out of.
The Sugar Bears were finally able to get a substantial lead in the third set. UCA led 13-9 with help from two big kills from Jamiryana Hall. However, the Govs hit on five straight points to take a 14-13 lead and would later extend it to a 19-15 advantage. At that point in the set, it was a crushing blow for the Sugar Bears, as it appeared that they had something going, before Austin Peay stole the momentum right back. UCA fought to make it a 23-19 deficit, but Austin Peay closed things out, 25-20, to sweep the Sugar Bears.
Caylan Koons finished with 26 assists, eight digs, and three kills. Lilly Taylor led the Sugar Bears with nine kills, Greyson Button finished with seven kills. Holloway led the team in aces with three. Lexie Gregory led the team with 14 digs.
UCA will be back in action next weekend, taking on Bellarmine on Friday, September 29th at 5:00 p.m., and Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, September 30th at 3:00 p.m.
