WASHINGTON D.C. (September 9, 2023) – The North Alabama volleyball team will head home with a 2-1 record at the DC Showdown after dropping the final match to Old Dominion, 3-2, on Sept. 9 in Washington D.C.
In the competitive matchup where the average set margin of victory was three points, the Lions (5-4) were able to capitalize on the nine errors made by the Monarchs (5-5) in set one, despite going minus-7 in kills. UNA generated a lead as high as four before Old Dominion closed the gap, requiring both teams to have to win by two. Marking the first time that the Lions played past the 25 point mark in the first set this season, North Alabama showed resolve by scoring two quick points to secure set one, 26-24.
Errors made the difference again for the ODU, as North Alabama was able to come back from a six-point Monarch lead midway through the second set. Going on a 9-1 run towards the latter half of the set to go up two, both teams exchanged points the rest of the way, with UNA able to take set two, 25-23.
The Lions played arguable their best set of the match in the third, scoring 16 kills with two errors on a .400 hitting percentage. Despite the performance on the offensive end, the Lions had to fight their way back after being down for most of the set.
There were five lead changes in the third set, including when the Lions were able to go up 19-18 and outscore the Monarchs 5-3 with match point in hand. Old Dominion had the most important lead change after scoring five unanswered to steal set three, 26-24.
ODU played their best set of the match in set four, as the Lions were unable to gain the lead for the first time all match. The Monarchs scored early and often to take the set, with set five incoming.
North Alabama went up 5-1 early in the deciding set, but Old Dominion showed fight by running off four straight to bring it back to a deadlock. After exchanging two points each, the Monarchs went on a 3-0 run before the Lions could respond with a point of their own. The lead would be too much to overcome as Old Dominion won the set 15-10, and the match, 3-2.
Sophomore outside hitter Hayley Martin had her best game of the season so far, contributing nine kills and three blocks for a total of 10.5 points. Graduate middle blockers Maggie Sullivan and Anna Katherine Griggs led in kills for the Lions, with Sullivan finishing with 13 and Griggs matching her career high with 16.
Junior and senior setters Elif Ozsoy and Kennedey Johnson each had 21 assists, while Johnson and senior defensive specialist/libero Katie Gerig tied the game-high with three service aces. Graduate libero Luana Bulara, junior outside hitter Katy Floyd and freshman outside hitter Avery Markham finished in a three-way tie for the team lead in digs with 11.
North Alabama will spend the next week in CB&S Bank Arena in Flowers Hall, starting with a single game match against Alabama A&M on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. UNA will also host the UNA Invitational on Sept. 15-16, where they will welcome Central Arkansas, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State to Florence, Ala.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
