PINE BLUFF, AR -- Extending to a three-game winning streak, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's volleyball team secured a 3-1 (25-11, 25-15, 28-30, 25-12) victory over the Southern University Jaguars Wednesday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Sophomores Zyonn Smith and Reagin Williams played their hearts out tonight against Southern with the mindset to dominate with Smith totaling 19 kills and Williams with 15 kills. Junior Nyah Ellis set the team up with an impressive 36 digs followed by Junior Kaila Robinson's 20 and Smith just three behind Robinson. Doing what she does best was sophomore Nikole Akamine setting her team up with 33 assists followed by sophomore Elyssa Kennedy with 19 assists for the Lady Lions. Leading on the defensive side was Williams with five blocks followed by junior Haley Gomez with four blocks and junior Destiny Thomas with three blocks.
Jumping out to a quick 18-5 lead in the first set, the Lady Lions generated good energy from the start of the match and Akamine, Smith and Gomez kept rising the momentum easily for the Lady Lions in the first set and finishing the set 25-11. The second set would be a rollover of energy for the Lady Lions finishing the second set with a score of 25-15.
"Zyonn is only 5'6 but she plays like she's 6'3 and that's huge for our program", said UAPB head coach, Chesley Lucas about Smith' performance against Southern.
In the third set, the Lady Lions played a bit relaxed, and the Lady Jaguars had a goal to not get swept. The third set came down to the wire with Southern taking the third set 28-30.
UAPB bounced back immediately following the third set with multiple great sets from Smith and Williams. Those two would carry the team to the end of the fourth set and a kill shot by Gomez would win the set with a score of 25-12 and seal the 3-1 victory over Southern University.
"Reagin did not come to play tonight but instead she put on a show for us", said Lucas about Williams' performance against Southern.
The Lady Lions will return to action on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in their final home game of the season, looking to improve to a four-game winning streak against Talladega College.
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