FLORENCE, Ala. (September 14, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team set a new attendance record with over 2,000 fans on Sunday afternoon inside CB&S Bank Arena, as the Lions fell 3-1 in a competitive match with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

North Alabama (5-5) hosted 2,106 fans on Sunday for the largest attendance in program history. The previous record was set in 2015 with 935 fans against West Georgia.

The matchup capped the Noona Kennard Volleyball Tournament, which is named after an Alabama Sports Hall of Famer who pioneered women's athletics in the state by leading Bradshaw High School (now Florence) to its first state championship in 1971. Kennard was welcomed to a standing ovation at center court prior to the match, honoring the tournament's namesake in front of the sold-out crowd.

The 1975 UNA volleyball team was also honored at pregame. This team won the AAIAW State Championship with a win over Alabama.

The Lions started fast by taking the first set, but the Crimson Tide answered with a close second-set victory. Alabama took another close win in set three, with the Crimson Tide fending off a UNA rally to take the set and match in the fourth frame.

Junior Kendall Barnes paced North Alabama with 12 kills. Sophomore Kinslee McGowan led the team with 36 assists and 11 digs, while junior Olivia Fenoff and sophomore Reese Ricketts each recorded a leading two service aces. Freshman Jenna Kolosta added a match-high five blocks.

North Alabama struck first in the opening set to take a 1-0 lead. The Lions' 12 kills and .258 attack percentage led the way compared to the Crimson Tide's 10 kills and .100 attack percentage. UNA's service game was strong in set one with an ace each from Barnes, Ricketts, Fenoff and junior Ava Martindale. The Lions never trailed and led by as many as 10 points en route to a 25-17 set win.

Alabama responded in set two with a victory, holding off UNA to tie the match at 1-1. The Crimson Tide opened the frame with a 9-4 advantage, but the Lions came back with a 6-1 run to tie the set, 10-10. A 4-0 run from Alabama gave the advantage back to the visitors as North Alabama continued to cut the lead. UNA tied the set at 15-15 and trailed 21-20 late in the frame, but the Crimson Tide took the set, 25-22.

The Lions started set three with a 7-5 lead, but Alabama's 9-2 responding run gave the momentum back to the visitors. The Crimson Tide took a 14-9 lead, extending the lead to 17-11 midway through. North Alabama cut the Alabama lead to 19-16 to spark a late comeback. The Crimson Tide would hold on again en route to a 25-20 set win.

Set four began with the Crimson Tide taking an 18-10 advantage. North Alabama marched back with an 8-4 run to cut the Alabama lead to 22-18, but the Crimson Tide finished things off with a kill from Victoria Barrett, her 20th of the match.


UP NEXT
North Alabama will play in the Cougar Classic from Sept. 19-20 in Houston, Texas. The Lions are set to face McNeese State, Liberty and host school Houston.

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