FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball capped an undefeated home schedule with a 25-21, 14-25, 25-19, 25-15 win over Texas Woman’s Saturday on Senior Day at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.
However, it was a freshman that stole the spotlight, as right-side hitter Sophia McIntyre tallied 12 kills on a .385 attack percentage with four digs and five blocks in just her second career start.
Outside hitter Caelyn Gunn recorded a team-high 15 kills to go with 17 digs while right-side hitter Reagan Macha added 10 kills. Setter Chloe Price approached a triple double, dishing out 37 assists with 13 digs and eight kills on a .471 attack percentage.
UAFS led 16-10 in set one until a 4-0 run by the Pioneers brought them within 16-14. But the Lions wouldn’t let it get closer than two before taking a 1-0 lead.
Texas Woman’s hit .302 in set two as the Pioneers evened up the match, but the Lions bounced back in set three, despite being outhit. UAFS broke a 17-17 tie in set three with a 7-1 run behind a pair of aces by Price and two kills by McIntyre. The Lions closed the set on a 9-2 run.
With a 2-1 lead, the Lions finished off the Pioneers by hitting .382 in set four and limiting them to a .075 attack percentage. UAFS scored the first six points of the set and never looked back, scoring five of the last six points of the set, as well.
Libero Paola Fragalle tallied 25 digs to lead the UAFS back row, which got 13 and 12 digs from defensive specialists Taylor Lintz and Lauren Weber, respectively. Middle blocker Hannah Watkins matched McIntyre’s five blocks, as the Lions outblocked the Pioneers, 8-3.
With the win, UAFS secured the No. 4 seed in next week’s Lone Star Conference Tournament. The Lions will face No. 5 seed Texas A&M-Kingsville, who the Lions defeated twice in the regular season. The quarter finals will take place on Thursday, November 16 at Dallas Baptist, with the Lions and Javelinas squaring off at 5 p.m.
