FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball looks to continue its hot start to the season as the Lions head to Pittsburg State for the Gorilla Classic September 8-9.
The Lions will once again have an early match, facing off against No. 11 Southwest Minnesota State at 9 a.m. Friday in the first match of the weekend. They will then end the first day at 4:30 p.m. against Drury.
Saturday sees the Lions take on Northwestern Oklahoma State at 11:30 before concluding the weekend against host Pitt State at 7 p.m.
Live coverage links can be found at uafortsmithlions.com. All matches will be streamed on the MIAA Network.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: The Lions went 4-0 at the Newberry Invitational, collecting wins over Lander, Belmont Abbey, Newberry and Francis Marion.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Middle blocker Hannah Watkins was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 18 blocks (1.2/s) and racking up 29 kills on a .333 attack percentage. UAFS held opponents to a .115 attack percentage for the weekend, including holding Belmont Abbey and Francis Marion under .100.
BALANCING ACT: The Lions had six players record at least 20 kills last weekend. Twice the Lions had at least five players record at least seven kills in a match.
CAREER HIGH: Middle blocker Angelina Hardison recorded a career-high 16 kills on a .517 attack percentage in the four-set win over Newberry.
RECORD WATCH: Setter Chloe Price moved into third on the career assists list with 1,413, now 58 behind Bailey Katzfey for second all-time.
SCOUTING SMSU: The No. 11 Mustangs have started the season 3-1, led by outside hitter Brooklyn Kusler at 4.0 kills per set. Libero McKenzie Tolk averages 4.85 digs per set while setter Alisa Bengen is averaging 12.0 assists per set.
SCOUTING DU: The Panthers won just two sets on opening weekend as they went 0-4 in Florida. Outside hitter Juliana Squire leads Drury with 2.93 kills per set and 3.79 digs per set.
SCOUTING NWOSU: The Rangers went 2-2 at the Missouri Southern State Invite, alternating wins and losses. Outside hitter Erika Asencio Soriano paces the Ranger attack with 2.85 kills per set with setter Cameron Lobb dishing out 5.5 assists per set. Asencio Soriano is second in digs with 3.08 per set.
SCOUTING PSU: The Gorillas went 1-3 to open the season with a pair of losses to ranked opponents. They are led by outside hitter Janae Thurston with 3.47 kills per set and setter Jadyn Jackson at 8.33 assists per set. The duo also leads the Gorillas in digs.
THE SERIES: The Lions lead the all-time series with Drury, 3-2, after sweeping the Panthers las season. UAFS is 0-1 against both Southwest Minnesota State and Pitt State while this will be the first ever meeting with Northwest Oklahoma State.
