LARAMIE, Wyo.- Junior outside hitter Jessica Hays and sophomore middle blocker Taylor Hammonds both had career matches to lead the University of Central Arkansas volleyball team to a four-set victory over Southern Utah in the final match of the UniWyo Wyoming Invite. Hays tied her career best with 22 kills to go with three aces and seven digs, while Hammonds pounded out a career-high 17 kills and hit .406 as the Sugar Bears (3-1) defeated the Thunderbirds (2-2) 25-13, 20-25, 27-25, 25-19.
UCA came out on fire in set one, connecting on 17 kills and making just two errors to hit .469. The Thunderbirds took advantage of the Sugar Bears' 10 attack errors in set two, taking the frame 25-20. UCA rebounded with 17 kills in each of the final sets to secure the win.
For the match, the Sugar Bears hit .250 with 63 kills, while the Thunderbirds hit .191 with 43 kills.
Senior right side Chloe Smith recorded a double-double, coming up with 12 kills and 14 digs. Junior libero Cristin Curl led all players with 18 digs. Freshman setter Marissa Collins had season-highs with 55 assists and eight digs.
SUU was led by Jazmine Ma'afala with nine kills, while Analaine Pelaez had eight kills and 16 digs.
The Sugar Bears will be back in action on Wednesday when they face Oklahoma in Norman at 6 p.m.