HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (September 2, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team dropped a four-set bout to Alabama A&M, falling to the Bulldogs, 3-1, in Huntsville, Ala.

The Lions (2-2) faced the in-state foe in a competitive match, marking the first midweek match of the season. Alabama A&M (3-1) came out strong to claim the first set, but North Alabama answered back with a solid second-set victory. The Bulldogs used a strong offensive performance in the third frame to take a 2-1 lead, while set four came down to the wire.

Down in fourth frame, the Lions rallied back to nearly take the set to a win-by-two situation. Alabama A&M held on to claim the home match.

Junior Kendall Barnes led all players with a career-high 21 kills, with sophomore Kinslee McGowan contributing a match-high 49 assists. Junior Ava Martindale contributed a team-leading 17 digs, and junior Jessi Ritchhart led with two service aces. Junior Nicole Sargent and sophomore Dylann Garner tied the team high with two blocks.

The match started evenly halfway through the first set, with neither team leading by more than two points. With the score tied at 12, Alabama A&M went on a 6-3 run to take a 18-15 advantage and later a 25-18 victory.

The Lions came out to a stronger start in the second set, using an early 4-0 run to gain an 8-4 lead. North Alabama continued to hold their lead midway through the set using the offense of Barnes and Sargent. UNA led 15-9 midway through the frame, but a 3-0 run by the Bulldogs cut the deficit to three with the scoreline 15-12. North Alabama answered back with a 6-1 run to take control with a 21-13 advantage. Alabama A&M attempted to rally with a late run, but the Lions' .348 hitting percentage in the frame made the difference en route to taking set two, 25-18.

Alabama A&M had their best attacking set in the third frame, using a .583 hitting percentage to take a 2-1 set advantage. The Bulldogs claimed the set, 25-15, with North Alabama looking to send the match to a fifth and deciding set.

The fourth set was a battle between two teams as both had solid offenses in the competitive frame. Alabama A&M and North Alabama were tied at 10 each when the Bulldogs used a 4-0 run to seize momentum. Alabama A&M led 14-10, but North Alabama built momentum as the set went on. Slowly cutting into the deficit, UNA worked its way back to making it a 24-23 set in favor of Alabama A&M, but the Bulldogs clinched the set and match with a 25-23 victory.


UP NEXT

North Alabama continues its week on Friday, Sept. 5 with the Blazer Invitational at UAB. The two-day event sees the Lions set to face Tennessee Tech, USC Upstate and hosts UAB.

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