Central Arkansas vs. #2 SMU 
Friday, December 5 | 6:30 PM CT | Dallas, Texas 
Live Video | Live Stats 

DALLAS, TX. - The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears open their NCAA Tournament run on Friday night with a first-round showdown against #2 seed SMU, one of the nation's most complete and high-performing teams. The match follows the earlier 4:00 PM contest between #7 Rice and Florida, setting the stage for an electric night of volleyball in Dallas 

Team Overview  
Central Arkansas (18–11, .621) 

Riding a five-match winning streak, UCA enters the postseason playing its strongest volleyball of the year. The Sugar Bears posted a 12–4 (.750) conference record and have shown consistency in all environments — 7–5 at home, 8–4 on the road, and 3–2 at neutral sites. 

#2 SMU (25–5, .833) 

SMU comes in as one of the hottest teams in the country, carrying a nine-match win streak and dominating on its home floor with a 13–1 record. The Mustangs' 17–3 (.850) conference mark and balance across all phases of the game earned them a top national seed and the right to host the opening rounds. 

Team Leaders & Matchup Breakdown 

UCA Offense 

The Sugar Bears' attack is led by: 

• Laci Bohannan – 372 kills 

• Gabby Tuiaana – 293 kills 

• Supported by Cousins (192), Haas (170), and Button (131) 

Setter Caylan Koons orchestrates the offense with 937 assists, pushing tempo and spreading the ball effectively. 

SMU Offense 

SMU features a high-powered, multi-dimensional attack: 

• Malaya Jones – 479 kills (Top offensive threat) 

• Jadyn Livings – 293 kills 

• Favor Anyanwu – 185 kills 

Setter Averi Carlson, one of the best in the country, has tallied 1,268 assists, controlling pace and distributing with precision. 

Match Outlook 

This matchup features two teams with contrasting paths but similar momentum. SMU's depth, home-court advantage, and elite ball control make them a formidable opponent. But UCA's balanced offense, strong defensive identity, and current five-match surge give the Sugar Bears the confidence to challenge one of the nation's best. 

To pull off the upset, UCA will look to: 

• Pressure SMU from the service line 

• Slow the Mustangs' quick tempo at the net 

• Lean on McDaniel and the back-row defense 

• Let Bohannan and Tuiaana carry the offensive load 

• Maintain composure in long rallies and high-energy moments 

With the NCAA spotlight shining bright, the Sugar Bears have a chance to make a statement on the national stage.