FLORENCE, Ala. (October 31, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team took the United Athletic Conference leader Eastern Kentucky to a five-set battle on Saturday inside CB&S Bank Arena but ultimately fell by a 3-2 final.
Eastern Kentucky (22-2, 12-0 UAC) won the opening frame 25-19, but North Alabama (18-7, 8-4 UAC) answered with two straight set wins, 25-21, 25-23. EKU responded right back, winning the fourth set 25-18 to the match to a deciding fifth set.
The fifth set was a battle on both sides, but the Colonels came out victorious in a 15-13 heartbreaker. EKU has only been taken to five sets by one other UAC opponent — UT Arlington.
Despite the loss, North Alabama clinched a spot in the United Athletic Conference Championship Tournament following Little Rock's loss to Abilene Christian today, 3-2. The tournament is set for Nov. 19-21 in Little Rock, Ark.
Junior Reese Ricketts led the offense with 20 kills, while senior Olivia Fenoff had 13 and sophomore Paris McQuirter added 11, her career high. Ricketts also recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 13 digs.
Junior Kinslee McGowan led the Lions with 31 assists, also recording her 14th double-double of the season with 13 digs. Sophomore Landri Ross added 21 assists.
Senior Ava Martindale and sophomore Ally Greenwell each had 15 digs, while juniors Reese Ricketts and Kinslee McGowan each had 13 digs. Junior Dylann Garner also set a new career high of seven blocks.
SET ONE: EKU 25, UNA 19
North Alabama opened the first set with an early lead of 7-4. They continued to hold the lead until EKU tied the score at 11-11 following two straight service aces. The Colonels pulled away at 17-13 following three straight kills. The Lions stayed within five, but the Colonels had two straight kills to win the first set.
SET TWO: UNA 25, EKU 21
North Alabama responded immediately in the second set, having an early tie of 4-4. EKU gained a lead of 11-8 following two straight kills. Three straight kills from the Lions and a service ace gave them a 20-16 lead. The Lions held onto a four point led the rest of the set, winning 25-21 after a kill from Ricketts.
SET THREE: UNA 25, EKU 23
The third set was a back-and-forth battle for both teams. EKU gained a 17-14 lead, but the Lions went on a run to gain the lead back, 21-19. UNA had set point at 24-22, but EKU had a kill to stay alive. Garner closed the set immediately with a kill.
SET FOUR: EKU 25, UNA 18
EKU came out strong in the fourth set, earning a 10-4 lead. They continued to pull away with a 15-8 lead following two kills. The Lions closed the deficit to just 15-12, but the Colonels continued to pull away at 21-14. UNA continued to battle and earn points, but EKU closed the set 25-18 to force a decisive fifth set.
SET FIVE: EKU 15, UNA 13
The fifth set was close from start to finish, with the Colonels ultimately coming out victorious. Three straight kills gave the Lions an early 5-2 lead, but EKU fought to tie it at 5-5. The two teams continued to trade leads, leading to a 10-10 tie. Another three straight kills from the Lions gave them a late 13-10 lead. The Colonels closed the fifth set strong with five straight points, including three kills, to win the match 3-2.
UP NEXT
North Alabama heads to Little Rock, Ark. on Thursday, Nov. 5 for their second match against Little Rock this season, beginning at 6 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
