CONWAY, Ark. - The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (10-8, 7-1 ASUN) return to the Prince Center this weekend for a pair of home conference matchups, beginning Friday night against Bellarmine and concluding Sunday afternoon with a Pink Out showdown against Eastern Kentucky.
UCA opens the weekend on Friday, October 24 at 6 p.m. for its annual Nightmare on Bruce Street match against the Bellarmine Knights (9-11, 3-5 ASUN). The Sugar Bears will then turn around to face the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (13-7, 5-3 ASUN) on Sunday, October 26 at 1 p.m., as the team and fans wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
The Sugar Bears have found their rhythm in conference play, riding a three-match win streak and holding a strong 7-1 ASUN record. UCA looks to continue building momentum down the stretch.
Offensively, Laci Bohannan leads the attack with 202 kills, followed by Gabby Tuiaana (162), Samantha Cousins (127), and McKinzee Haas (104). Setter Caylan Koons continues to pace the offense with 560 assists, while also contributing defensively with 126 digs.
From the service line, Alexis McDaniel has been one of the conference's top servers with 22 aces, while Bohannan and Ella Chaney have each added 15. McDaniel also anchors the back row with a team-best 269 digs, with support from Bohannan (136) and Chaney (116). At the net, Haas has been a dominant presence with 67.0 blocks, joined by Tuiaana (46.0) and Greyson Button (38.0).
Bellarmine enters Friday's matchup at 9-11 overall and 3-5 in ASUN play, coming off a win that snapped a brief losing streak. The Knights have been steady on the road (4-3) and will look to challenge a UCA squad. Sunday's opponent, Eastern Kentucky, brings a 13-7 overall record and 5-3 mark in conference play into Conway. The Colonels have proven to be a balanced and gritty opponent, with an impressive 6-3 road record, and will aim to bounce back after a recent loss.
UCA fans are encouraged to come out for both events — Friday's "Nightmare on Bruce Street" will feature Halloween-themed fun, while Sunday's "Pink Out" supports breast cancer awareness and research.
