PINE BLUFF, AR -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's volleyball team swept the Lady Braves of Alcorn State with a final score of 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-10) Tuesday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Sophomore Zyonn Smith would lead the team with 15 kills followed by junior Haley Gomez' seven. Sophomores Elyssa Kennedy and Nikole Akamine both had the same helping mindset on the court with 16 assists a piece. Sophomore Nyah Ellis led the way in digs tallying 15 following sophomore Zyonn Smith's 12 digs and junior Kaila Robinson with ten digs. Standing out on the defensive end was Gomez with five impressive blocks for the Lady Lions.
The win for the Lady Lions didn't start at the serve, it started in warmups where their energy was generated. After their loss to Jackson State who UAPB wanted to upset, that loss fueled the Lady Lions and made them hungry to feast off another team.
The Lady Lions got off to a quick 7-1 start in the first set against Alcorn State with great plays from Akamine and would not let up the rest of the set finishing the set 25-19. Robinson made her statement in the second set with a remarkable eight plays to secure the second set with a score of 25-11.
The third set was pure energy and passion from the Lady Lions. Ellis' energy after every point brought more joy into each play of the third set. With contributions from every player in a Golden Lion uniform, Gomez would be the one to close out the set 25-10 and the sweep of 3-0 over Alcorn State.
"I build my team around positive energy and making sure we all are playing our roles and playing those roles with passion and showing that we love what we do," said UAPB head coach Chesley Lucus about the sweep.
The Lady Lions will return to the hardwood at home on Thursday at 4 p.m. to complete their Mississippi game series against the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State.
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