FLORENCE, Ala. (September 5, 2026) – The University of North Alabama volleyball team capped off the annual Noona Kennard Tournament in style, sweeping UT Martin to become the first team in program history to start a season with seven straight 3-0 sweeps.
North Alabama's offense was on fire today, with four lions hitting above .400.
Freshman Anna Hoffmayer had an efficient .857 hitting percentage with six kills on seven attacks, while senior Phoebe Reyes Fortunato had nine kills with a .571 hitting percentage. Junior Dylann Garner also had nine kills and had a .444 hitting percentage, while fellow junior Reese Ricketts led the way with 12 kills and a .400 hitting percentage.
The Lions (7-0) had an impressive .407 hitting percentage as a team, marking their highest this season.
Freshman Kaylee Maikranz was outstanding against UT Martin (0-6), breaking the single-match individual service ace record with seven today. She had one in the first set, four in the second and two in the third. Three of her four in the second set were in a row. She also tallied four digs against the Skyhawks. UNA did not allow any aces from UT Martin.
Junior Kinslee McGowan had another solid match, recording 35 kills. This is her third match having 35 kills and has racked up 246 already this season.
Senior Ava Martindale had 10 digs tonight and has had 10+ digs in every match this season. She has also had two 20+ matches.
SET 1: UNA 25, UTM 15
North Alabama secured the first point of the set and then was met with an unsuccessful challenge to tie it up. The Lions responded well, going on a 4-0 scoring run. In the Lions' first six points of this set, Reyes Fortunato was responsible for three of those with three kills.
UT Martin went on a 3-0 run to make it 12-7, but the run was ended by a kill from Ricketts. The Skyhawks got within four with a score of 15-11, but they were met with a kill from Reyes Fortunato assisted by McGowan.
The Lions continued to roll, with two kills from Garner and a kill for Hoffmayer to make it 20-13. They ended the match with their highest lead yet, with help from a kill each from Ricketts and Reyes Fortunato.
SET 2: UNA 25, UTM 11
This set was opened nicely with a kill from Reyes Fortunato. This set brought the most lead changes with four, but the Lions furthered the gap after an explosive 9-0 run that was led by four service aces from Maikranz to make it 14-6.
The two teams went back and forth for to make it 18-10, but UNA ended it with a 5-0 run with a kill each from Hoffmayer and Garner to go up 23-10.
North Alabama had back-to-back kills from Reyes Fortunato and Garner to end the set 25-11.
SET 3: UNA 25, UTM 12
This set marked UNA's strongest start of the day, beginning with a 4-0 run, including a kill from sophomore Jenna Kolosta. Garner then had two quick kills to go up 6-2.
Two kills from Hoffmayer and an ace from Maikranz helped the Lions go up 9-3. UT Martin was then met by three kills in a row by Ricketts to go up 12-4. The Skyhawks tried to get close after cutting it to 17-9, but Garner had two kills along with one from freshman Kendall Buckley to end their momentum and extend the lead to 10.
The Lions closed the set strong and left no doubt, going on a 5-0 run with a kill each from Ricketts and Garner, along with another ace from Maikranz.
UP NEXT
The Lions will head to Nashville to face the Tennessee State Tigers on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. This will be the first of a six match road swing for UNA.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
