Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark.?The UALR volleyball team lost their first conference match of the season 3-1 (21-25, 21-25, 25-23, 14-25) to previously nationally ranked and defending Sun Belt Conference Champions Middle Tennessee Sunday at the Jack Stephens Center. The loss snaps an eight match winning streak on the season and a 15 match winning streak at home.
“I think it took a lot of energy and emotion to beat Western Kentucky, and we were still on that high,” said head coach Van Compton. “The highlight of the match was when we came back in the third set. Middle Tennessee wasn't previously nationally ranked for nothing. They were a very athletic team.”
Amila Barakovic led the team in kills with 11, while Guiliana De Francesco and Amy Hafner led the team in digs with nine. Lora Dickey led the team in blocks with two solo and five block assists.
The Trojans (17-3, 6-1 Sun Belt) recorded their lowest attack percentage of the season at .059, while the Blue Raiders (14-3, 4-1 Sun Belt) recorded a .211 attack percentage and were led by Izabela Kozon who recorded 21 kills.
A service error by MT gave the UALR the 1-0 lead in set one. After the score tied twice, the Blue Raiders recorded four straight points including three UALR errors.
MT sustained their advantage, but the Trojans pushed points tying the score at 15. UALR regained the lead on a MT error, before the Blue Raiders tied the score on a kill by Ashley Asberry.
The score tied three times, before MT knocked down four straight points to bring their lead to 23-19. The Blue Raiders held their advantage winning 25-21 on a kill by Kozon.
The second set opened in MT's favor on a kill by Kozon. After the Trojans tied the score on a kill by Katie McCutcheon, MT regained the advantage. UALR pushed points and tied the score five times.
With the score 9 all, the Blue Raiders knocked down two straight points on kills. With MT holding the lead, UALR tied the score at 20 on a Blue Raider error, before MT recorded three straight points.
The Blue Raiders won the set 25-21 on a UALR attack error.
In set three, MT jumped to a 7-0 start, before the Trojans scored their first point on a Blue Raider service error. MT held their advantage, but the Trojans pushed points and tied the score at 17 after knocking down five straight points.
The score would tie three more times in the set. With the score 23 all, UALR scored on a kill by Dickey and a MT error to win 25-23.
MT jumped to a 2-0 lead in set four, before the Trojans scored on a kill by Kristi Block. After both teams exchanged points, the Blue Raiders recorded six consecutive points for the 11-3 advantage.
The Blue Raiders held the Trojans to 14 points and won the set and match on a UALR attack error.
UALR continues volleyball action on Friday as they travel to New Orleans, La. to face the University of New Orleans. Match is set for 7 p.m.
