SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Central Arkansas volleyball team wrapped up its third match of the Roadrunner Classic, fighting tooth and nail but ultimately falling to Alabama on Saturday.
Despite being swept, the Sugar Bears were in every set, even pushing the third to a 32-30 finish.
Regan Harp had a career-high 17 kills, Kaylan Coons had tallied 31 assists and Alexis Carranza had two service aces.
Alabama started the first set on a tear, breaking out to a 6-1 lead. But the Sugar Bears would battle back, rattling off a 10-3 run of their own to take an 11-9 lead, capped by an ace from Harp. Alabama responded with a 10-4 run, but Central Arkansas whittled the lead back to 21-20. The Crimson Tide ultimately finished the first set 25-22.
The second set saw fewer big runs than the first, with the teams staying close in score throughout. Alabama grabbed the biggest lead early in the set, taking a five-point lead to go up 13-8 after a Sugar Bear service error. But just like the first set, Central Arkansas would not go away quietly, battling back to a one-point deficit to force a timeout by the Crimson Tide. The sides matched points for a beat, but Alabama pulled away late, 25-21.
Down to their last set, the Sugar Bears fought with their backs against the wall in the third, keeping the scoring margin within three points until both teams were into double-figures. Then, momentum started shifting towards Alabama, who was able to build it to a five-point lead, 22-17. A few points later, and Central Arkansas was staring down a 24-18 deficit, the first match point of the set. But the Sugar Bears weren't going anywhere, capitalizing on Bama errors and huge kills by Harp to put together a 6-0 run to tie it at 24-24. The sides traded in the win-by-two points beyond 25, momentum swinging wildly as each team traded one-point leads. Fourteen set points later, Alabama was able to claim the third, downing the Sugar Bears once and for all.
Central Arkansas has just one more road game on Thursday before finally hosting the Central Arkansas Invitational next weekend. After playing at Little Rock on Thursday, the Sugar Bears will host the Trojans, North Alabama and Jackson State at the Prince Center next weekend.
