Lynchburg, Va. (September 17, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team fell to the Liberty Flames in three sets Thursday night Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Va.
The Lions (10-2) are facing the Flames (7-4) again tomorrow at Liberty Arena at 4 p.m. CT. The Friday match will conclude both North Alabama and Liberty's non-conference matches for the 2026 season.
Offensively, North Alabama had 26 kills and 25 assists tonight, along with four service aces. Defensively, the Lions finished with 43 digs and three total blocks.
Junior Kinslee McGowan led the offense with 22 assists. McGowan also earned her sixth double-double of the season, recording 10 digs. She also had a pair of service aces and kills.
Senior Ava Martindale led North Alabama defensively with 12 digs. Freshman Anna Hoffmayer continues to lead the team in blocks, recording three tonight to now total 33 on the season.
SET 1: LIBERTY: 25, UNA: 13
Liberty took control early, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. The Flames went on to extend their lead to 13-2. North Alabama responded with some kills of their own from Hoffmayer, juniors Dylann Garner and Reese Ricketts and senior Phoebe Reyes Fortunato, but Liberty ultimately took the first set.
SET 2: LIBERTY: 25, UNA: 22
The second set was more competitive, with both teams going back-and-forth to reach a 5-5 tie. Liberty reached a lead of 14-8 halfway through the set, but North Alabama got within one from back-to-back kills from Ricketts to get to 22-21. Liberty got three of the next four points to take the set.
SET 3: LIBERTY 25: UNA: 19
Liberty gained an early lead of 7-3 in the third set. Three service errors helped the Lions gain three more points, but the Flames extended their lead to 15-8. The Lions scored four straight points to cut the lead to 23-18, including two kills from Garner and a service ace from sophomore Ally Greenwell. Liberty eventually secured the third set with two kills.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
