PINE BLUFF, AR – Ranked seventh in the Preseason SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) rankings, UAPB volleyball had a statement to prove. In their SWAC conference play opener, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff volleyball team completed a (3-0) (26-24, 25-11, 26-24) sweep against the visiting Grambling State Tigers Monday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Junior Haley Gomez made sure her presence was known in the building, leading with 13 kills on the victory, followed by sophomore Zyonn Smith with 11 kills and freshman Zykia Jones adding six kills.
Jones' serving was on point for the Lady Lions, earning two aces under her belt in the contest, with Gomez and Smith adding one apiece.
Setting up her teammates at the correct times and playing her role of selflessness would be sophomore Nikole Akamine with 26 assists, with junior Vanessa Collins following Akamine's unselfishness, adding 13 assists.
Junior Nyah Ellis did what she does best in her libero role, finishing with 28 digs, and Smith adding 14 digs, followed by Akamine's ten digs.
On the defensive side, Gomez, who was the SWAC Blocker of the Year in the spring 2021 season, carried the same energy over, with five denies followed by redshirt junior Kaila Robinson's two blocks and junior Kori Diego adding one block.
In the first set, both teams came out with something to prove straight from the gate, not allowing each other to trail by more than one point. Grambling State would have the lead at the end of the first set with a score of 24-23, causing UAPB to have to play safe and smart volleyball. A kill by Smith tied things up at 24, pushing the score margin up by the play. After a service error by GSU, an energizing Robinson kill secured the first set for the Lady Lions with a score of 26-24.
After being forced to sit out due to injuries, Gomez made her return to the volleyball court against Grambling State. Gomez would take over and dominate in the second set, scoring eight points for the Lady Lions, which led to a second set blow-out over GSU. Once Gomez got going, Smith matched Gomez's energy, and the rest is history, claiming the second set with a score of 25-11.
Looking to complete the sweep, UAPB would rely on Gomez to bring things home, but instead, Jones stepped up big in the third set for the Lady Lions. However, GSU would put up a fight with hopes to stay alive. Jones scored seven huge points in the set along with two beautiful aces, which would seal the set with a score of 26-24 to complete the sweep over Grambling State.
"We've been focusing on having poise under pressure, and it paid off tonight," said UAPB head coach Chelsey Lucas about how impressed she was with her team's first conference victory tonight.
UAPB volleyball will be back in action for its second conference game against Southern University at H.O. Clemmons Arena on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
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