UAFS takes five-set victory

The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball team fell 3-2 (20-25, 25-19, 25-19, 24-26, 15-9) to Angelo State in the final match of the Lone Star Conference Preview on Saturday.

The Lions were up against match point in the fourth set trailing 24-20 but rallied to score the final six points of the set, capped by a pair of kills by outside hitter Nyia Anderson and an ace by setter Kendall Schmitz. UAFS hit .351 in the set.

In set five, the Lions raced out to a 7-3 lead thanks to two kills and an assisted block by outside hitter Caelyn Gunn. However, Angelo State scored the next six points and closed the match on a 12-2 run.

Gunn produced her seventh double-double of the season, tallying a team-high 17 kills to go with 18 digs. Also recording double-doubles were outside hitter Nyia Anderson with 11 kills and 27 digs and setter Chloe Price with 42 assists and 21 digs.

Right-side hitter Reagan Macha added 11 kills on a .333 attack percentage.

Five Lions recorded double-figure digs, as Paola Fragalle totaled 19 and defensive specialist Taylor Lintz 15 to join the trio above.

UAFS had 11 blocks to just four for the Rambelles, with middle blocker Hannah Watkins accounting for seven of them. ASU, however, had an 11-5 edge in aces.

The Lions will next play their home opener September 22 at 6 p.m. against Lubbock Christian at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

Price had a near triple-double in a five-set win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday.

Price dished out a season-high 51 assists and tallied 17 digs and eight kills while hitting .421 for the match. Price spread the ball around, as four Lions recorded double-digit kills in the match and the Lions hit .271 as a team.

Middle blocker Hannah Watkins was one of the main beneficiaries of Price’s big night by tallying 12 kills on a .435 attack percentage. The middle continued to be a strength for the Lions as Angelina Hardison recorded eight kills on a .350 attack percentage.

Gunn had a team-high 16 kills, while right-side hitter Reagan Macha had 13 and outside hitter Nyia Anderson added 12.