Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – Eastern Kentucky won the first set, but couldn't stave off a rally by Central Arkansas in a 3-1 loss on Friday.
 
The Sugar Bears won by scores of 22-5, 25-20, 25-16 and 25-23.
 
Molly Michalak led Eastern Kentucky with 12 kills.  She also had 13 digs and two blocks.  Josie Schmitendorf led all players with 19 digs.  Freshman AG Vandagriff contributed six kills, made only one error in 17 attempts and had five blocks.
 
Alexis Stumbough posted a match-best 17 kills for Central Arkansas (9-7, 1-2 ASUN).  She had a .351 attack percentage and added 18 digs.
 
The Colonels (10-7, 1-2 ASUN) had a 10-3 edge in blocks and made six fewer errors.  UCA had 26 more attacks and posted a 63-47 advantage in kills.
 
After falling behind 13-10 in the first set, EKU swung the momentum its way with a 6-1 run.  A kill from Sarah Mitchell capped it and put the visitors on top 16-14.  The Sugar Bears battled back and took a 20-19 lead on an ace from Lilly Taylor.  A kill from Michalak started a run of three straight for the Colonels.  Back-to-back Central Arkansas errors polished off the spurt and gave Eastern Kentucky a 22-20 lead.  Mitchell's kill brought her team to set point at 24-22.  Another error by UCA finished it off.
 
A kill from Mitchell put EKU ahead 14-11 in the second set and the Colonels led 18-17 after a kill from Vandagriff.  However, Eastern Kentucky scored just two more points as Central Arkansas tied the match with a 25-20 win in the second.
 
The Sugar Bears never trailed on their way to a 25-16 win in the third. 
 
Eastern Kentucky tied the fourth set at 23-23 on a block from Vandagriff and Carson Ledford.  Kendall Haywood gave UCA match-point with a kill and Taylor finished it off on the next series with a kill.
 
The road trip concludes for the Colonels on Sunday against North Alabama.  The match will begin at 2 p.m. ET and air live on ESPN+.