FLORENCE, Ala. (September 12, 2023) –North Alabama Volleyball got back to their winning ways on Tuesday evening, defeating the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in four sets, 3-1, in CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall in Florence.

For the third time in the span of a week, graduate middle blocker Anna Katherine Griggs either set or broke her career high in kills — this time setting another record with 19 kills in the match. She rounded out the night a game-high six blocks for a total of 22.5 points.

In a battle between in-state schools, the team from Florence got the upper hand on the team from Huntsville, even though the Bulldogs had the plus-5 margin in kills with 50 to the Lions' 45. UNA was more efficient on the attack with a .153 attack percentage to Alabama A&M's .128, but the difference maker were errors from the visitors, committing 31 to North Alabama's 22.

North Alabama came out swinging in set one, building a lead as high as 12. UNA took set one by a score of 25-13 to open the match — ending the frame with an emphatic kill from Griggs — but set two would prove a more competitive one.

It was a back-and-forth affair between the two, with Alabama A&M getting their first lead of the game in the second set at 6-5. The Lions trailed up to the 19-19 mark, with the Bulldogs having a lead as high as four before a four-point run erased that away. The visitors held a 23-21 advantage before four straight points clinched the 25-23 set win.

UNA looked to close out the match in the third set, but the Bulldogs would not go down without a fight. Down 23-18 late in the set, Alabama A&M ran off six straight to go up 24-23 before North Alabama scored the next two points with match point in sight. The Lions were unable to close the match as three points from the visitors pushed the match to another set by a score of 27-25.

Both teams were unable to separate themselves in set four until the Bulldogs built up a five-point lead at 15-10. Every time the Lions looked to swing momentum, the visitors haulted it before it could get going. In favor of Alabama A&M at 19-13, a five-point run brought the set within reach at 19-18, but the Bulldogs took back control, getting it to set point at 24-20.

In the crucial moment, UNA ran off six points to take it to a win-by-two situation and ultimately clinch the 3-1 win with a 26-24 set four victory. Kills by Hayley Martin and Breanna Tietz aided the run, while the 19th kill by Griggs broke the tie in favor of UNA. An error on the other side of the net sent the crowd into a frenzy, as the Lions finished off the home opening victory.

Another career record was broken as graduate libero Luana Bulara set a new high in service aces. She had five service aces on the night, to go with four assists and 15 digs in three sets, which tied a game high with the reigning ASUN Freshman of the Week — outside hitter Avery Markham. Senior setter Kennedey Johnson led all players with 26 assists.

With a 6-4 record, North Alabama Volleyball will get a few days rest before hosting the UNA Invitational from Sept. 15-16. The first match will come against fellow ASUN member Central Arkansas, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall.

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