FORT SMITH – UAFS will begin its first Heartland Conference road trip of the season on Thursday when the Lady Lions volleyball team plays the Dallas Baptist Patriots at The Burg Center in Dallas, Texas.
First serve will be 7 p.m. Live statistics and live stream will be available.
It will be the second of three road matches in a row for UAFS, which beat the University of Arkansas-Monticello in four setson Saturday at Steelman Fieldhouse in Monticello. UAFS will finish its road trip at noon on Saturday against conference foe St. Edward’s at the Recreation and Convocation Center in Austin, Texas.
UAFS (10-5, 1-0) is one of three undefeated teams left in conference play, joining St. Edward’s (11-4, 2-0) and Newman (8-9, 1-0).
The Lady Lions have compiled a 0.216 hitting percentage. Sophomore outside hitter Anna Demmer leads the team in kills (215), kills per set (4.13), hitting percentage (0.276) and aces (21). Senior setter Susannah Kelley leads the team in assists (610) and assists per set (10.52).
UAFS has held opponents to a 0.160 hitting percentage. Junior libero Autumn Reese leads the team in digs (367) and digs per set (6.33). Junior middle hitter Debra Rogers leads the team in solo blocks (15), block assists (64), total blocks (79) and blocks per set (1.36).
Dallas Baptist (5-6, 1-1) is coming off a five-set loss to St. Mary’s at The Burg Center on Saturday, and the Patriots have lost three of their past four matches.
The Patriots have compiled a 0.163 hitting percentage. Senior middle blocker Sidnee Jo Fitzpatrick leads the team in kills (102), kills per set (2.27) and hitting percentage (0.320). Junior setter Merci Perry leads the team in assists (280) and assists per set (6.09). Junior libero Lauren Nicks leads the team in aces (16).
Dallas Baptist has held opponents to a 0.152 hitting percentage. Nicks leads the team in digs (221) and digs per set (4.80). Fitzpatrick leads the team in solo blocks (eight), total blocks (50) and blocks per set (1.11), while junior middle blocker Katie Nicholson leads the team in block assists (46).
