Garrido's career-high propels Trojans in sweep of NSU

DENTON, Texas — Led by a career-high 11 kills from junior Sophia Garrido, the Little Rock Trojans posted a season-best .319 attack percentage and swept Northwestern State on Friday in the opening game of the UNT-UTA Invitational. Little Rock will also play in the final match of the day, a 7 pm contest against host North Texas, which will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
The Trojans (3-4) needed a late rally to take the opening set, but from there the final result was never in doubt as Little Rock won by scores of 26-24, 25-15, and 25-13. Northwestern State (1-8) dropped its eighth straight match. The win also halts a three-game slide for the Trojans.
 
In addition to Garrido's 11 kills, Bella Cherry also put down 11. Avery Fearnley and A'lanae Margaritha each added five kills, and Jaycee Kennedy and Grazia D'Amore had four apiece in a contest that lasted just 65 minutes. All six players hit at least .300 individually, with D'Amore (.500), Garrido (.476), and Fearnley (.400) leading the way.
 
Kaylee Smith led the Trojans with 15 assists. Dariana Valencia added 10 assists and seven digs. Andrea Roman had a team-high nine digs. Margaritha and Garrido each had four blocks. The Trojans also finished with four service aces, one each by Roman, Margaritha, Cherry, and Isabel Morales.
 
Little Rock and UNT take the court together for the second time this season, as the two teams faced off to open the season at the Lion Invitational at East Texas A&M. North Texas took the match by a 3-1 count.