JACKSONVILLE (October 4, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team had a competitive third set in a battle with Atlantic Sun Conference front-runner Jacksonville on Saturday, but fell in straight sets on the road.

The Lions (8-9, 2-2 ASUN) capped their two-match roadswing against the league-leading Dolphins (13-3, 4-0), who remains unbeaten in conference play with a fifth-straight win.

Jacksonville charged out the gates to take the first two opening sets, but the third set was contested with UNA getting out to a solid start. The frame remained a battle until a late JU run saw the match out toward the home win.

After falling 25-12 in the first two sets, UNA got out to an early 6-1 lead in the third and extended the advantage to 12-6 near the midway point. Helping lead the charge was freshman Paris McQuirter, who totaled two of her career-high five match kills in the strong start.

Sophomores Reese Ricketts and Kinslee McGowan along with senior Jolana Smidlova contributed to the start, but the Dolphins fought back to tie the match at 16. North Alabama led 19-17 when a 4-0 Jacksonville run gave the Dolphins their first set lead at 21-19. The Lions continued to battle, but Jacksonville­­ saw the match out in set three, 25-22.

Ricketts led in kills with 10 on the day. McQuirter's five kills finished second for the Lions, and McGowan and junior Nicole Sargent tallied four kills for third on the team.

McGowan totaled 26 assists for the team high while junior Jessi Ritchhart tallied a leading six digs. Sargent and Ricketts registered two blocks to round out UNA's stat leaders.

North Alabama returns home for its next two outings, starting with Stetson on Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.

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