SILVER CITY, N.M. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball earned its third consecutive sweep Friday be defeating Western New Mexico, 25-16, 29-27, 25-22 in Lone Star Conference action on the road.
Outside hitter Nyia Anderson once again paced the offensive attack, tallying a team-high 17 kills on a .444 attack percentage. Middle blocker Angelina Hardison also had a strong offensive performance, hitting .526 while racking up 11 kills.
UAFS hit .246 for the match, including .385 in set one. Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn was a third Lion to record double figure kills with 10. Setter Chloe Price dished out 37 assists.
The Lions continued the trend of starting fast, taking advantage of six WNMU errors for a 12-4 lead in set one. The lead ballooned to as many as 11 before the Mustangs got back withing five with a 6-0 run. UAFS silenced that with five straight points before securing the set.
WNMU had a 6-1 lead to start set two before the Lions answered with six straight points. UAFS held a four-point lead at 14-10, but the Mustangs rallied back and tied the set at 23-23. The teams then traded set points before the Lions were successful on their fourth try.
Hardison spurred a 7-0 run in set three to erase a 7-5 deficit as the Lions led by at least three the rest of the way to complete the sweep.
Middle blocker Hannah Watkins controlled the net with seven blocks – five solo – as the Lions held an 11-6 edge in blocks.
No Lion reached double figures in digs but five had at least seven, led by Anderson and defensive specialist Taylor Lintz with nine. UAFS held the Mustangs to a .102 attack percentage, including -.088 in set one.
The Lions will take a short break from conference play to visit Drury University Tuesday at 6 p.m. UAFS defeated the Panthers in four sets earlier this season at the Gorilla Classic.
