ABILENE, Texas (October 22, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team lost to Abilene Christian in four sets on Thursday evening inside Moody Coliseum, 3-1.
The Lions (16-6, 6-3 UAC) dropped the opening set but fought back to turn things around and win the second set. The Wildcats (14-7, 6-3 UAC) took the final two sets, splitting the record between the two teams this season. UNA won the first meeting in five sets in Florence.
Tonight, North Alabama was led offensively by juniors Reese Ricketts and Kinslee McGowan. Ricketts had 18 kills, while McGowan had her 12th double-double of the season, recording 35 assists and 12 digs. Junior Dylann Garner also had 11 kills.
Defensively, senior Ava Martindale led the way with 14 digs. Sophomore Jenna Kolosta had three block assists, and freshman Anna Hoffmayer had two solo blocks.
SET ONE: ACU 25, UNA 17
Abilene Christian jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Ricketts put the Lions on the board with a kill. ACU extended their lead to 9-1, but UNA began to settle in and respond. Garner sparked the first run with a kill, followed by an attack error to cut the lead to 11-5. Back-to-back kills from Ricketts and a service ace from junior Lankford Gurner cut the lead to just five at 18-13. The Lions had a late push, leaving the Wildcats at set point for two more points, but ACU closed the set 25-17.
SET TWO: UNA 25, ACU 22
North Alabama turned the momentum completely around in the set, keeping the score close early in the set and eventually gaining big leads. Kills from Ricketts, Garner and Hoffmayer and a service ace from freshman Kaylee Maikranz helped the Lions to a 4-0 run to go up 12-7. UNA extended this lead to 18-11 and then 22-13 after another ace from Maikranz. ACU started to settle in here, going on a 6-0 run to get within two. The Lions escaped this threat and won the second set 25-22 after a kill from Ricketts.
SET THREE: ACU 25, UNA 17
North Alabama answered an early 2-0 deficit with a kill from Ricketts before using a short run to pull within one at 4-3. ACU created separation by going up 10-3, but Ricketts stopped the run with a kill. This was followed by a kill from senior Phoebe Reyes Fortunato to cut the deficit to 10-5. Garner continued to answer, adding a kill assisted by McGowan to get the Lions within three at 12-9. This was followed by a service ace from sophomore Ally Greenwell to get within two. The Lions stayed within striking distance late with kills from Hoffmayer, Garner and Kolosta helping UNA to 15 points. A service error gave UNA one final point, but ACU took the set 25-17.
SET FOUR: ACU 25, UNA 12
ACU jumped to an early 7-2 lead, but the Lions cut it to 9-5 after a kill from Ricketts. Ricketts added another kill at 12-6, and Reyes Fortunato followed with another kill to make it 12-7. A block from Reyes Fortunato and Kolosta put the Lions within five at 14-9. Hoffmayer added a kill to reach 12 points, but ACU closed the set 25-12.
UP NEXT
North Alabama has a quick turn around and will play Saturday, Oct. 24 at UT Arlington at 1 p.m. The match will be in Arlington, Texas at College Park Center.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
