TROY, Ala. (August 28, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team started the 2026 season off strong with a three-set win against Alabama State to open the Troy Invitational on Thursday in Troy, Ala.
Junior outside hitter Reese Ricketts led the team in kills with 15 and had senior rightside hitter Phoebe Reyes Fortunato right behind her with 11. Reyes Fortunato recorded a .455 hitting percentage to lead an efficient attack. Setter Kinslee McGowan also helped lead the Lions to victory by accumulating 33 assists.
With the win against Alabama State, UNA has now won four of the last five season openers, which is the year head coach Tristan Johnson took over the program. Last season, the Lions also started the season with a sweep, defeating Grambling State at the Maroon and White Invite. In 2023, UNA defeated Louisiana Tech 3-2 and in 2022 defeated Stonehill College with another sweep.
Set 1: UNA 25, Alabama State 20
The first set started with a 4-2 lead by Alabama State, but the Hornets did not see another lead after three quick points by UNA to take the lead. The Lions did not let go, putting up multiple 4-0 scoring runs in the set. Reyes Fortunato quickly settled in for her North Alabama debut, recording the first three kills of the match. Junior hitter Dylann Garner had six kills with three kills in a row, and McGowan totaled 12 assists.
Set 2: UNA 25, Alabama State 14
Similar to the first set, the Lions held on to the lead for the entire set after starting 3-3 with the Hornets. The Lions then went up 10-4 before going on a 7-0 scoring run with true freshman Kaylee Maikranz serving and Ricketts recording four of those kills. Ricketts had seven kills in the second set. McGowan continued to help the offense by recording 10 assists. The defense was also strong with four blocks, two coming from Garner and freshman middle blocker Anna Hoffmayer.
Set 3: UNA 25, Alabama State 23
This set came different than the first two, as the Lions were back and forth with the Hornets with the lead changing six times. UNA fell behind 4-2 early, then quickly gained a 6-4 lead. ASU then went on a 5-1 scoring run to lead 10-8. The Lions returned with a 3-0 run, including a kill from Ricketts, who totaled six kills this set. After going back and forth for awhile, the Hornets reached their biggest lead of the day by overtaking the Lions 23-19. The Lions responded with a huge 6-0 run to win the match, including two kills from Reyes Fortunato, who racked up five kills in the set.
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama will continue with the Troy Invitational on Saturday, facing the host Trojans at 4 p.m. The Lions will then play Mercer to cap off the weekend on Sunday at 11 a.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
