TROY, Ala. (August 29, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team won its second match of the Troy Invitational after defeating the host Trojans Trojans in a 3-0 sweep from Troy, Ala.
The Lions (2-0) took down the host Trojans (1-1) in just three sets, making their second sweep in two days. This is the second straight season UNA has started the year 2-0, last year coming from the Maroon and White Invite after UNA took down Grambling State and SEMO. The Lions also started 2023 and 2022 with a 2-0 record.
Preseason All-UAC selection Reese Ricketts was excellent tonight, recording 10 kills to lead the team for the second match in a row. She recorded 15 in the win against Alabama State. Dylann Garner also led the Lions to victory with nine kills, along with eight coming from freshman Anna Hoffmayer. Hoffmayer also led the way with four blocks in just her second collegiate game.
Senior libero Ava Martindale and Ricketts combined for 37 digs with 21 from Martindale.
Set 1: UNA 25, Troy 18
The first set was back and forth until UNA went on a 7-0 scoring run midway through, led by two kills from Hoffmayer. Troy's closest lead after that was 19-15, which was immediately met by a 4-1 run by UNA. Ricketts secured the set with a kill assisted by Kinslee McGowan.
Hoffmayer led this set with five kills, and Ricketts just behind her with four. McGowan was also a key contributor with 10 assists.
Set 2: UNA 25, Troy 22
Scoring was back and forth for the second set, as well. However, the Trojans did not see the lead after their early 5-4 lead. There were multiple ties, but UNA closed the set with a 3-0 run from Troy's errors.
Five different Lions had multiple kills, tallying a total of 12. This includes Ricketts, Garner, McGowan, senior transfer Phoebe Reyes Fortunato and sophomore Jenna Kolosta.
Set 3: UNA 25, Troy 15
This set was an offensive outburst, after the Lions started with a 6-1 lead from five kills, two coming from Ricketts. UNA kept the lead the entire set, going on multiple 4-0 scoring runs and another 7-0 run that included two kills from Garner. Troy tried to sneak in by cutting the lead to only six, but UNA responded with a 6-2 run to close the set and secure the win.
Ricketts had five kills, Garner had four and Hoffmayer had three. McGowan also posted an impressive 12 assists for the final set.
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama will close its time at the Troy Invitational with a match against Mercer tomorrow at 11 a.m. The Lions will have their home opener Wednesday, Sept. 2 against Alabama A&M.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
