The University of North Alabama volleyball team prepares to host Little Rock this Saturday at 1 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena, marking the final regular-season match for both programs.
The Lions can improve their standing heading into the United Athletic Conference (UAC) tournament with a win.
North Alabama currently holds a 21-7 overall record and sits at 11-4 within the conference, placing them second in the standings. While the team has already clinched a spot in the UAC championship, a victory on Saturday is essential to securing the sole two-seed, which would grant the program a valuable first-round bye.
The matchup matters for Little Rock, which enters the arena with a 10-16 overall record and a 4-10 conference mark. The Trojans are currently fighting to secure the final available berth in the six-team conference tournament. The Lions lead the all-time series 3-2, having most recently defeated the Trojans in three sets on Nov. 5 in Little Rock.
Senior Day and Record Milestones
Saturday’s event will double as Senior Day, with the University of North Alabama honoring Ava Martindale, Amelia Keating, Olivia Fenoff, and Reese Ricketts for their contributions to the program. The ceremony precedes a match that could see a major individual milestone reached on the court.
Reese Ricketts enters the finale with 409 kills this season, leaving her just six shy of the Division I individual record of 414, which is currently held by teammate Kendall Barnes. Ricketts, who was named the UAC Player of the Week on Monday, has multiple opportunities to break the mark, as the team is guaranteed at least one appearance in the upcoming conference championship tournament.
The Lions are coming off a victory on Nov. 10 against West Georgia, a match in which the team rallied after dropping the first set to win three consecutive frames. During that contest, Ricketts recorded 19 digs, securing her 11th double-double of the season.
Sophomore setter Landri Ross also enters the weekend with momentum, having earned her second UAC Setter of the Week award this past Monday following a stretch where she compiled 95 assists over two road wins.
Lions Battle for Second Seed and Tournament Position
The race for UAC seeding remains tight, with Eastern Kentucky having already locked up the top seed with an undefeated 14-0 conference record. North Alabama is currently engaged in a battle with Abilene Christian for the second seed; a win for the Lions would help stave off a potential tie in the final standings.
The stakes for the visiting Trojans are equally high. As they prepare for the conference tournament, the Lions continue to showcase their defensive strength, as North Alabama currently leads the conference with 16.36 digs per set. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Grant Wakefield and Gyvan Hammons providing commentary, while live stats will be provided through StatBroadcast.
Following the conclusion of Saturday’s match, the Lions will shift their focus to the UAC Championship. The official tournament bracket and opponent pairings are expected to be finalized once all conference games conclude this weekend. Tickets for the finale remain available through RoarLions.com.
