BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 2, 2023) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team dropped the first game of their appearance at the Samford Invitational, losing to the Purple Aces of Evansville, 3-1.

The Lions (2-2) won the first point of set one, but the Purple Aces (3-1) controlled the rest of the set, including nine straight points after the ensuing opening point. Both teams took turns exchanging their share of points until Evansville added a second run of five straight points en route to taking the first set, 25-16.

The second set started with Evansville running off three straight points until the Lions responded with two points of their own. Set two was dictated by the runs of the Purple Aces, as Evansville went on three four-point runs in the set. North Alabama went ona pair of three-point runs of their own, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Purple Aces, who won the second set, 25-18.

Evansville started the third set strong, going up by as many as six points early on. UNA answered with a string of points to march all the way back to take the lead midway through set three, including a run of five straight points. The Purple Aces and Lions went back and forth as the set went on, but North Alabama proved too much, taking the third set 25-21 to start the comeback bid.

Both teams came out of the fourth set even, but Evansville gained the upper hand eventually with two runs of four points to give them the lead. Going up by as many as eight, the Lions tallied two runs of their own to cut the lead to three, but the Purple Aces' runs proved too much early on to mount the comeback, winning the fourth set, 25-18, and the match, 3-1.

Junior outside hitter Katy Floyd led the Lions with 12 kills, freshman outside hitter Avery Markham led with 13 digs, senior setter Kennedey Johnson led in assists with 19 and graduate middle blocker Anna Katherine Griggs led in the block category with five.

Floyd, in her first start of the season, led all Lions in points with 16.5 after a 12-kill performance on .273 hitting percentage. She added five digs, two service aces and one block.

Reigning ASUN Freshman of the Week Avery Markham just missed out on a double-double, contributing nine kills to go with 14 digs and one block.

Transfer libero Luana Bulara made her first appearance for the Lions in regular season action and tallied up 12 digs and two assists in her debut.

The Lions will round out their Samford Invitational with a matchup with hosts Samford tomorrow, starting at 2 p.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.