RUSTON, La. — The Little Rock volleyball team finished a clean sweep of its two-day schedule at the Louisiana Tech Invitational on Friday, taking down Lamar University in a tough five-set match for their third consecutive win. Little Rock (3-5) took the opening set but dropped the next two and responded with wins in the fourth and fifth sets to capture a non-conference win by scores of 25-13, 24-26, 23-25, 27-25, 15-12.
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HIGH MARKS
Dariana Valencia led the team with 31 assists, setting a new career high along the way.
Bella Cherry hit 0.206 percent and finished with a career-best 21 kills and
Daedrianna Cail reached a new career mark with 16 kills on 0.382 attacking percentage.
Rylee McClintock also set a new career mark with 32 digs and
Kaylee Smith registered a double-double with 21 assists and 11 digs. The Trojans also set new single-match marks for the season with 96 digs, 61 kills, 58 assists and 14 service aces.
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RESILIENT RUNS
The Trojans showed their resiliency during the match, putting together several scoring runs at key moments. Trailing 10-9 in the opening set, the Trojans went on an 11-1 run to go ahead 20-11 and finish off the set. Down 19-15 in the third, they six of the next seven to take a 21-20 lead before eventually falling. Facing defeat in the fourth and trailing 23-20, the Trojans ended the set on a 7-2 run to force a decisive fifth set. Leading by just a point in the fifth, Little Rock closed out the win with a 4-2 run.
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CARRYING MOMENTUM
After an 0-5 start to the season, the Trojans now carry a three-game win streak into next week's Beale Street Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., where Little Rock will face some stiff competition with matches against Southern Miss, Arizona State, and host Memphis. The trip to Memphis marks the end of the non-conference schedule as the Trojans open their Ohio Valley Conference schedule Sept. 22-23 at Southern Indiana.
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