AUBURN, Ala. (August 31, 2024) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team concluded its weekend at the War Eagle Invitational early Saturday morning with a five-set loss to the Georgia Southern Eagles inside Neville Arena at Auburn.

The Lions (0-3) started strong against the Eagles (2-1), opening with a quick two-set advantage. Georgia Southern's offense found a spark in the third set, leading to three-straight set wins.

Freshman Reese Ricketts followed a season-high 16 kills against Wofford with 14 kills against Georgia Southern, good for the team lead on the day. Senior Brenna Tietz finished with 13 kills, and junior Hayley Martin concluded the matchup with 11 kills.

Two more freshmen led the team in their respective categories, with Kinslee McGowan leading the team with 23 assists and Audrey Small totaling 21 digs. Sophomore Nicole Sargent continues to be a force from the defensive side with a team-leading three blocks, with Sargent and senior Katy Floyd securing the team's only two service aces in the contest.

Three players also contributed statistical double-doubles, with junior Elif Ozsoy (20 assists, 10 digs), McGowan (23 assists, 14 digs) and Small (21 digs, 10 assists) achieving the feat.

North Alabama got off to a good start in the opening set, with seven UNA players contributing a kill. Tietz's five first-set kills led the way en route to the Lions taking the first set, 25-17. Set two proved to be more competitive than the first, but the Lions were still able to maintain the advantage with a close second frame win. Both teams finished the set with 16 kills, but timely defense from UNA helped give the Lions a 26-24 victory and two-set cushion. Seven players once again contributed in the attack, led by graduate Jasmine Brooks' five kills.

Georgia Southern would respond in the third frame with 25-17 victory and followed up with 25-18 win in the fourth set to push the match to a fifth set. Six kills each from Ricketts and Tietz paced the Lions in the third and fourth sets, but the resilient Eagles made it a match with a winner close to be determined. The final frame started close, but the Eagles eventually pulled away to take the match against the Lions with a 15-9 set win.

North Alabama will have its first home match of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 3, taking on the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. First serve from CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall is scheduled for 6 p.m.