BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (September 5, 2025) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team opened the Blazer Invitational on Friday with a 3-1 win over Tennessee Tech before falling to USC Upstate in four sets.
The Lions (3-3) traveled down the road for the two-day invite, claiming a win in two matches on the day. Playing against Tennessee Tech and USC Upstate, UNA defeated the Golden Eagles for their third win of the season. The victory also marked the second all-time win over the Golden Eagles in program history.
Junior Kendall Barnes paced UNA's offense with 16 kills against Tennessee Tech and 17 against USC Upstate. Sophomore Reese Ricketts added 15 and 14 kills, respectively.
Sophomore Kinslee McGowan totaled 84 assists as the primary setter, and junior Olivia Fenoff led both matches in digs with 31 total. Fenoff also tallied a team-leading seven aces on the day.
Freshman Jenna Kolosta rounds out the team leaders with five total blocks.
MATCH 1: NORTH ALABAMA 3, Tennessee Tech 1
North Alabama's offense came to play early in set one, storming out to a 7-1 advantage to open. Ricketts had two kills and a service ace to start, and Barnes and sophomore Amelia Keating contributed with a kill each in the early offense. The offense of Ricketts (four kills) along with Barnes (three kills) and sophomore Dylann Garner (three kills) helped North Alabama maintain a steady lead in the frame, but Tennessee Tech kept the set close. UNA's start proved the difference however with the Lions taking set one, 25-20.
Another fast start came in set two with the Lions opening with a 6-0 run. North Alabama capitalized on three Tennessee Tech errors with Fenoff and McGowan contributing a service ace and kill, respectively. UNA led 7-1 when the Golden Eagles responded with a 9-3 run to tie the set at 10-10. A 5-1 run from the Lions put them back into the advantage with a kill each from Ricketts and Keating pacing the way. The Lions' momentum continued through the frame with a 25-18 set win.
The third set started evenly early through set three as both teams alternated points to the 10-10 mark. The Golden Eagles responded with a 3-0 run to take a 13-10 lead. Tennessee Tech extended its lead to 17-12, using the mid-set run to take set four, 25-18.
North Alabama gained the upper hand first in set four, using a 5-2 run early for a 12-8 lead. Ricketts struck again with a set-high seven kills with three coming from Barnes as North Alabama's continued to hold their lead. Tennessee Tech fought to the extend the match, but the Lions held strong to win the match in four, 25-22.
MATCH 2: USC UPSTATE 3, North Alabama 1
Match two started with the Lions picking up where the left off from match one. UNA claimed the opening set, 25-17, using an efficient .333 attack percentage to lead the charge. The score 6-6, North Alabama used an early run to take momentum first with a 6-0 run. Keating, Garner and Barnes led the charge offensively, with the run also proving the difference later in the set. The Spartans would keep it close, cutting the lead to as low as four, but UNA saw the set out for the early advantage.
USC Upstate took the second frame using a late-set run to tie the match at 1-1. The Lions had another solid start to the set, building a 16-11 lead in the frame. UNA led 18-14, when a 4-0 USC Upstate run tied the match at 18. The Spartans followed with a 7-2 run to send it to the third set.
The last two sets were separated by four points and both came down to the wire.
In set three, the teams alternated with runs midway through to the end of the frame. Tied at 16, USC Upstate won five-straight points for a 21-16 lead. The rally made the difference despite the Lions going on a run over their own. They cut the deficit to 23-22, but the Spartans took the 2-1 set advantage winning 25-23.
Set four saw another close frame, with North Alabama rallying back from a 18-12 deficit. UNA went on an 8-3 run to cut the USC Upstate lead to 21-20, but a 3-1-point advantage followed in favor of the Spartans. The Lions came within one point of forcing the win-by-two situation, but USC Upstate took the final set, 25-23.
UP NEXT
The Blazer Invitational continues on Saturday with the third and final match seeing the Lions face UAB at 3 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
