FLORENCE, Ala. (October 3, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team defeated Central Arkansas 3-1 in the first matchup between the two this season at CB&S Bank Arena.

North Alabama (13-4, 3-1 UAC) won the first set today, but Central Arkansas (2-12, 2-2 UAC) tied things up with a win in set two. UNA responded with two straight set wins, resulting in the match victory for the Lions.

The Lions were led by junior outside hitter Reese Ricketts, as she recorded her season-high with 23 kills while still maintaining an impressive .383 hitting percentage. Ricketts also recorded eight digs and one block.

Junior setter Kinslee McGowan breaks her previous season-high in assists tonight with 55 recorded assists. Her previous season-high was set against Abilene Christian on Sept. 24 with 49 assists. McGowan also recorded eight digs, three kills and one block.

Senior libero Ava Martindale recorded a season-high, as well, with 26 digs to surpass her previous best which was set against Samford on Sept. 11.

Dylan Garner was another powerful offensive player for the Lions as she recorded her second-highest kill total with 15. Garner dug four balls and had one block, as well. Phoebe Reyes-Fortunato had 11 kills on the day and recorded two digs.

As a team, North Alabama set three new season-highs in three different categories with 64 kills, 63 assists and 59 digs while leading the match with a .297 hitting percentage.

SET ONE: UNA 25, UCA18

The first set brought the Lions' largest score margin, as well as the best hitting percentage. The Lions hit for .412 and totaled 16 kills — five coming from Ricketts. After a 7-7 tie, the Lions held on to the lead for the remainder of the set. With Ally Greenwell serving, UNA went on a 6-0 run before UCA would then cut the lead to 15-13. The Lions closed the set with a 5-2 run and service ace from McGowan, resulting in a 25-18 win.

SET TWO: UCA 25, UNA 21

Set two started out back-and-forth but UCA would later pull away with a nine-point margin resulting in the Sugar Bears' largest lead of the day. UNA tried for a comeback with a 6-0 run later in the game, but UCA held on to the lead for the rest of the set. UCA went on to win this set 25-21.

SET THREE: UNA 27, UCA 25

Set three brought the most lead changes and tied scores with four lead changes and 11 tied scores. Ricketts led this set with seven kills and hit for .500. Set three was a close the whole set with the largest margin being only three points. Martindale recorded six digs this set. UCA tied the set 24-all after UNA was issued a red card, but UNA responded with a 3-1 run with three kills issued by Ricketts. The Lions saw victory in extended play, 27-25.

SET FOUR: UNA 25, UCA 20

Garner led the final set with six kills and recorded zero errors. McGowan recorded 16 of the 17 assists, while Martindale recorded six digs. The final set was another back-and-forth rally with seven tied scores before either team reached 10 points. UNA went on a 4-0 run to gain a five-point lead at 15-10. They held on to the lead seeing another five point margin at 20-15. UCA tried for a comeback late in the set but UNA held on and closed the set with back-to-back kills resulting in a 25-20 win.

UP NEXT

North Alabama travels to Clarksville, Tenn. for another conference matchup against the Austin Peay Governors. This match will be on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Winfield Dunn Center. This match will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available on StatBroadcast.

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