BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's volleyball SWAC championship game against Jackson State has been canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the program.
The Lady Lions were scheduled to play the Jackson State Tigers in the SWAC Championship game today at 3 p.m. at the Birmingham Crossplex.
The Lady Lions had a remarkable season accomplishing things in their season and writing their names in the school record book as they continue to build the program. The Lady Lions finished their regular season 7-4, winning six of their conference games.
The SWAC predicted Arkansas-Pine Bluff to finish the regular season in sixth place, but with outstanding coaching from head coach Chelsey Lucas, assistant coach LaMonica Peacock, and graduate assistant coach Singryd Valadares alongside Lucas. The Lady Lions went on to finish third in regular season play.
The Lady Lions earned their top-three spot in the SWAC and clinch the third seed in the 2021 SWAC Tournament. Bypassing Alcorn State in the quarterfinal, the Lady Lions swept the Lady Braves 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16) to secure their spot in the semifinal against the number two seeded Prairie View A&M Panthers. The odds were against UAPB in the matchup against the Lady Panthers, but with great teamwork, energy, and unity, the Lady Lions pulled off what would be called an upset to the world.
"It's not an upset if you're prepared," said SWAC Blocker of the Year Haley Gomez about the huge victory over Prairie View A&M to punch their ticket to the SWAC Championship for the first time in school history.
UAPB Volleyball didn't only prove their doubters wrong, but they earned SWAC Honors as well. Zyonn Smith was named SWAC Player of the Year and first-team All-SWAC. Smith played a significant role in leading the conference in four categories. She's number one in the conference in kills with 167 kills, ranks one number one in total points with 149.5 this season, and second in points per set, averaging four points per set. Smith had a career-high of 20 kills against Jackson State earlier this season.
Haley Gomez was named SWAC Blocker of the Year and first-team All-SWAC. She was named SWAC Player of the Week twice in the 2021 spring season for her leadership abilities and protection in front of the net for the Lady Lions. She contributed big in helping the Lady Lions earn and keep the number spot for blocks per set as a team, averaging 2.2 blocks per set for the Lady Lions. Gomez ranks first in the SWAC with 61 blocks and also leads in blocks per set with 1.4 blocks per set. She had a career-high of nine blocks against Prairie View A&M in the SWAC semifinal.
Sophomore Nikole Akamine was named second-team All-SWAC, helping the Lady Lions rank high in the conference in assists per set, averaging 11.52 assists per set. Akamine has a season total of 234 assists through the spring 2021 season and ranks second in the SWAC in assists per set, averaging 5.48 assists per set. Akamine had a career-high of 33 assists against Southern U. She also ranks second in the conference in aces per set, averaging 0.57 aces per set.
Junior Kaila Robinson took the initiative and showed off her great leadership skills for the Lady Lions this season, having lots of contagious positive energy that would rub off on the Lady Lions. Sophomore Elyssa Kennedy played a great role right behind Akamine, finishing the season with a total of 156 assists for the Lady Lions. Sophomore Reagin Williams did a great job playing in the front row alongside Gomez, making a great combine offensively and defensively for the Lady Lions. Sophomore Jasmine Fuqua also made a great contribution this season, playing on the front row with Gomez.
Sophomore Nyah Ellis had an outstanding season, playing libero for the Lady Lions, collecting a team-high total of 199 digs in the spring 2021 season. Junior Destiny Thomas showed great aggression through the season for the Lady Lions on both ends finishing the season with 76 kills and 17 blocks for UAPB. Finally, junior Kori Diego made huge impacts for the Lady Lions when needed playing a huge role for the team in the semifinal against Prairie View A&M. Diego collected seven kills and three blocks in the semifinal victory over Prairie View A&M.
Without a doubt, the Lady Lions will be a team to compete for a conference championship in 2022, with the full lineup returning with no seniors on the roster.
The Lady Lions finished the season 9-4.
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