CONWAY, Ark. - The ULM volleyball team completed
an emotional rollercoaster Friday evening at the Sugar Bear Classic. In the
opening match it swept Arkansas-Pine Bluff (15-25, 19-25, 19-25) before host-Central
Arkansas (25-12, 25-19, 25-14) cruised during the second match in straight sets
inside the Prince Center.
ULM (2-7) took full advantage of numerous Arkansas-Pine
Bluff (0-7) offensive errors, 20 in total, to put together its first winning
streak of the season. The Warhawks put down 41 kills and finished with a .263
attacking percentage in the match, while the Lions concluded with a .000
attacking percentage.
Central Arkansas (6-2) silenced ULM in
straight sets to end its winning streak during the final match of the day. The
Warhawk offense was clicking on all cylinders earlier in the day, but it was a
different story against the Sugar Bears. They finished with more errors than
kills, whereas the UCA ended with a .349 attacking percentage and 11 aces.
ULM vs.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Recap:
ULM seized every opportunity against a
winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff squad in a straight set match sweep to begin the
day. With the win, the Warhawks captured their first winning streak since early
Oct. of 2006.
Mahogany Dilonga and Mari O'Neal each tallied
double-digit kills, 13 and 12, respectively for ULM. Meghan McCoy set up 36
kills at the setter position and Christy Tribble was the only defender in the
match with double-digit digs, 12.
UAPB was led by Mica Franklin who tallied 18
assists and five digs. Philana Hemlee smashed nine kills to lead all Lion
attackers in the match. The Lions finished with a .000 attacking percentage
compared to the Warhawks .263 attacking percentage in the match.
In the opening frame the Warhawks held a
three point advantage, 13-10, before putting together a 12-5 scoring run for
the first set win, 25-15. During the run, Dilonga and O'Neal each killed a trio
of balls to lead the Warhawk offense.
A 5-0 and 7-0 scoring run to begin and end
the second frame propelled ULM to a 2-0 match advantage. Both of the runs
ironically came while Ashley Bland was serving, but it was Dilonga who stepped
up with four kills. Bland also chipped in a serving ace and two kills in the
set.
The third set score was identical as the
previous set, but a different outcome all together. UAPB didn't go down easy as
it fought to an 18-17 lead. ULM answered with four-consecutive kills to retake
the lead, 21-18, and eventually claim the set, 25-19, and three-set match win.
ULM vs.
Central Arkansas Recap:
Even though the ULM defense rejected six kill
attempts, it was the offense that couldn't stay between the white lines. The
Warhawks finished with a dismal -.026 attacking percentage, while the Sugar
Bears compiled an impressive .349 attacking percentage.
Lindsey Barron led all attackers and Central
Arkansas with 10 kills and five aces. The setting duo of Lauren Dear and Robyn
Smith recorded 22 and 12 assists, respectively.
Lacey Dietlin completed the match with 14
digs and McCoy chipped in 14 assists.
Central Arkansas put together an 8-0 run
inside of a 13-4 scoring run that ended the opening frame. Alysha McCreary put
down four of the Sugar Bears 13 kills in the frame.
Following an 11-11 tie during the second set,
Barron smashed a pair of kills to jump start the UCA offense into a quick 5-0
run to take a 16-11 lead. It would be as close as ULM could get down the
stretch as the Sugar Bears went on for the 25-19 frame win and a 2-0 match
lead.
ULM appeared to be in control midway through
the third set, leading 10-9, but the UCA offense woke up to end the frame with
an impressive 16-4 run and match sweep.
The Warhawks finish the Sugar Bear Classic on
Saturday against in-state rival Louisiana Tech at 10:00 a.m. before completing
the tournament against Air Force at 4:30 p.m.
