CONWAY, Ark - The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team won their 11th consecutive match with a three-set sweep of Oral Roberts on Tuesday night at the Prince Center. The Sugar Bears (12-2) downed the Golden Eagles (5-6) 25-23, 25-22, 25-22 as they head into Southland Conference play for the next four matches.
The Sugar Bears controlled the first two sets most of the way, despite the close scores. In the third frame, UCA led 23-18, when the Golden Eagles went on a five point run to cut the lead to 23-22. Central Arkansas put the game and the match away with a kill and a service ace from senior middle blocker Evaree Franklin.
UCA outhit ORU .214 to .152 and had a 49-33 kills advantage for the match.
Franklin had her best night of the season, connecting on a season-high 11 kills with a career-best .529 hitting percentage. She also had two aces and three blocks.
Junior right side hitter Chloe Smith led all players with 15 kills, making her fourth Sugar Bear in history to reach 1,000 kills in a career. Smith now has 1,008 as she joins senior Amicha Williams, who passed the plateau earlier in the year.
Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Hays had nine kills, three aces and 13 digs and freshman middle blocker Taylor Hammonds added nine kills and four blocks. Sophomore libero Cristin Curl came up with 18 digs.
The Golden Eagles were led by Elizabeth McVicker's eight kills and Cassidy Holmes' 14 digs.
The Sugar Bears will face McNeese State on Saturday afternoon in Lake Charles, La. Both teams are tied for the best record in the Southland at 12-2 headed into the weekend.
The Sugar Bears controlled the first two sets most of the way, despite the close scores. In the third frame, UCA led 23-18, when the Golden Eagles went on a five point run to cut the lead to 23-22. Central Arkansas put the game and the match away with a kill and a service ace from senior middle blocker Evaree Franklin.
UCA outhit ORU .214 to .152 and had a 49-33 kills advantage for the match.
Franklin had her best night of the season, connecting on a season-high 11 kills with a career-best .529 hitting percentage. She also had two aces and three blocks.
Junior right side hitter Chloe Smith led all players with 15 kills, making her fourth Sugar Bear in history to reach 1,000 kills in a career. Smith now has 1,008 as she joins senior Amicha Williams, who passed the plateau earlier in the year.
Sophomore outside hitter Jessica Hays had nine kills, three aces and 13 digs and freshman middle blocker Taylor Hammonds added nine kills and four blocks. Sophomore libero Cristin Curl came up with 18 digs.
The Golden Eagles were led by Elizabeth McVicker's eight kills and Cassidy Holmes' 14 digs.
The Sugar Bears will face McNeese State on Saturday afternoon in Lake Charles, La. Both teams are tied for the best record in the Southland at 12-2 headed into the weekend.
