Lynchburg, Va. (September 18, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team fell in three sets to Liberty in Liberty Arena on Friday in Lynchburg, Va.
This concludes non-conference play, and the Lions will head into UAC play next week with a 10-3 overall record. Liberty improves to 8-4 overall heading into Conference USA play.
Junior Reese Ricketts led the offense with 11 kills, while junior Kinslee McGowan led with 23 assists. Ricketts added 10 digs tonight to record her fourth double-double of the season. Defensively, senior Ava Martindale led North Alabama with 12 digs. She also added three assists tonight. As a team, the Lions recorded 31 kills, 30 assists and 56 digs.
SET 1: LIBERTY 28, UNA 26
North Alabama opened the match with a close first set. The Lions held the lead all the way most of the way, including 15-8 at the midway point. The Flames responded with a 5-1 run to get back within three. The Lions continued to hold the lead up to 23-19, but Liberty scored five in a row to take the lead by one. A kill from senior Olivia Fenoff gave the Lions a late 26-25 lead, but Liberty scored three in a row to end the first set.
SET 2: LIBERTY 25, UNA 14
The second set was close right before the midway point. The Lions opened the set 2-0 with back-to-back kills from senior Phoebe Reyes Fortunato and Ricketts. They would then hold a tight lead at 8-7. Liberty later went on a 7-0 run to gain a 20-10 lead and ultimately won the set 25-14.
SET 3: LIBERTY 25, UNA 17
The third set was back-and-forth in the beginning, with the Lions earning a 9-8 lead from back-to-back kills from freshman Kendall Buckley. Back-to-back kills from Ricketts tied things at 15-15, but Liberty went on a 10-2 run to close the final set.
UP NEXT
With the non-conference schedule now complete, North Alabama will look to play UAC opponent Abilene Christian next Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at CB&S Bank Arena in Florence, Ala.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
