Three players post new career-highs in five-set marathon against North Alabama

CONWAY, Ark. — Little Rock and North Alabama capped off the UCA Invitational on Sunday with a marathon match lasting two hours and 44 minutes, and featuring 42 ties and 19 lead changes before the Lions escaped with a five-set victory at the Price Center.
 
Little Rock (5-8) saw three players set new single-game career highs and another tied a career-best mark while three of the five sets were decided by just two points apiece. In the end, North Alabama (5-8) scored just one point better than the Trojans over five sets (112-111) and won by scores of 25-20, 19-25, 27-25, 26-28, and 15-13.
 
Andrea Roman posted a career-best 32 digs to go with six assists, A'lanae Margaritha blocked a career-high seven shots to go with five kills and two aces, and Vivian Lucumi set a new single-game mark with seven kills while also blocking two shots. Sophia Garrido tied her career-high with four blocks.
 
Jeila Fullerton fell one dig short of another 20-20 double-double, finishing with 21 kills, 19 digs and two aces while hitting .315 percent for the match. Kaylee Smith led the team with 25 assists, Dariana Valencia added 21 assists with nine digs, Bella Cherry totaled 11 kills and two blocks, and Kaila Harris had 10 kills and three blocks.
 
Little Rock will be home next week to open the Ohio Valley Conference schedule Friday and Saturday against UT Martin (2-7) at the Jack Stephens Center. Match times are 6:00 pm (Friday) and 2:00 pm (Saturday) and both matches can be streamed on ESPN+.