SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball rallied for a five-set 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-9 win at Drury Tuesday as the Lions defeated the Panthers for the second time this season.
The Lions hit a blistering .526 in the fifth set, scoring 10 of their 15 points via the kill. After Drury scored the first point of the set, UAFS scored the next four and never relinquished the lead. The Lions also scored the final four points of the set.
UAFS dominated the first set, holding the Panthers to a .071 attack percentage while racking up 17 kills on a .302 percentage. However, the Lions’ attack was cooled in sets two and three as the Panthers took a 2-1 lead.
The Lions grabbed a 5-1 lead to start set four before the Panthers scored five straight for a 6-5 advantage. A 5-0 run gave the lead back to UAFS and the teams traded points until Drury pulled within 22-21. A pair of blocks and a kill by outside hitter Nyia Anderson kept the Lions alive and force the fifth set.
Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn tied her career-high with 24 kills while Anderson hit .318 and added 18 kills. UAFS tallied double-digit kills in all five sets. Setter Chloe Price dished out 50 assists, her second 50-assists match of the season.
Price, Gunn and Anderson all recorded double-doubles with 20, 13, and 16 digs, respectively.
Libero Paola Fragalle tallied a team-high 25 digs, with defensive specialist Taylor Lintz also recording 20 digs. Middle blocker Hannah Watkins had a hand in five of the Lions’ eight blocks on the night.
UAFS returns to Lone Star Conference action Friday by hosting Texas A&M-Kingsville at 6 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center.
