PINE BLUFF, AR -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women's volleyball team secured their revenge victory over Grambling State with a 3-0 sweep (25-17, 25-20, 25-16) at H.O. Clemmons Arena on Monday night.
In the previous matchup with Grambling State, the Lady Lions fell to the Lady Tigers in Grambling with a final score of 3-1 and the loss was taken personally by the Lady Lions. With preparation leading up to the day UAPB has been waiting for, it would only be right for the team to execute.
Junior Haley Gomez made a statement tonight leading the team with nine kills followed by sophomore Zyonn Smith also with nine kills and sophomore Jasmine Fuqua with an impressive seven kills. Sophomore Nyah Ellis sacrificed herself for her teammates with 22 digs with junior Kaila Robinson only two less than Ellis with 20 digs. SWAC Player of the Week sophomore Nikole Akamine did what she does best and led the Lady Lions with an impressive 22 assists with sophomore Elyssa Kennedy following the same path with 18 assists in the match.
In the first set, the Lady Lions made it known that there would be a tone set and that they would control the tempo of the game in which they did. Off to a quick start, UAPB would set a pace and continue to build on top of that pace, not giving Grambling State a chance to create any momentum. The statement was made in the first set score of 25-17 that the Lady Lions were not here to play.
The Lady Lions got off to a slow starting the second set however but knew that this was a match they could not lose again. With major points from Gomez and Fuqua, the energy would reset for the Lady Lions continue to expand through the set as the UAPB would take the second set with a score of 25-20.
Junior Kori Diego made a name for herself in the third set with two huge plays back-to-back which would create tension for the Lady Tigers and made it hard for them to come back. Not was it just Diego but Smith scored multiple points consecutively which would open up a huge gap that Grambling State could not close. The Lady Lions won the third set with a score of 25-16 securing the sweep over Grambling State.
"Volleyball is changing and the change begins with Golden Lion volleyball," said UAPB head coach Chelsey Lucas about the win over Grambling State.
The Lady Lions return to action on Wednesday at 6 p.m. looking to advance their winning streak to three against Southern University at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
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