CONWAY, Ark. --- The ULM
volleyball team claimed its first victory of the season Saturday morning against
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-1 (26-24, 16-25, 17-25, 16-25). In the second match of
Saturday morning's Sugar Bear Classic, the Warhawks fell to Northwestern State 3-1
(25-19, 19-25, 25-12, 25-19).
After dropping the first set 26-24 to the Golden Lions (0-10),
the Warhawks settled down and started attacking from both sides of the court.
Freshman Kayci Miller stepped in at setter and connected with senior Johanna
Spreen and junior Mari O'Neal for 12 and 13 kills, respectively.
The Warhawks combined to have their highest attacking percentage
of the season, .276 percent. Miller's 23 assists led the Warhawks, along with
freshman Meghan McCoy's 11 digs and O'Neal's 13 kills.
In the second match of the day, the Warhawks (1-12) split the
first two sets 25-19 and 19-25. During the third set, the Warhawks fell behind
early and were unable to recover from a 15-7 deficit. In the fourth set, the
Warhawks hung close until trailing 20-14 and eventually falling 25-19.
The Warhawks were led by O'Neal's 15 kills and
sophomore Kristy Tribble's 14 digs. Miller again had another outstanding match
as she assisted on 34 kills. Miller's 34 assists is a season and career high.
Overall for the weekend, the Warhawks were led by O'Neal's 32
kills, Tribble's 27 digs and Miller's 57 assists.
O'Neal was named to the Sugar Bear Classic All-Tournament
team.
The Warhawks will open Sun Belt play this week at UALR on
Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and at Arkansas State on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.
The Warhawks next home game is against Northwestern State on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
