OKLAHOMA CITY (March 2, 2021) – Divisional leader Arkansas-Fort Smith trailed only briefly in one set while downing Oklahoma Christian 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-17) on Tuesday night in the first of two volleyball matches between the Lone Star Conference rivals in as many nights in the Eagles' Nest.

Only two OC players had as many as five kills, as Caitlynne Hudgens had seven kills to go with 13 digs and Talby Duerksen had five kills. OC (3-9, 2-7 LSC) posted a .022 attack percentage compared to .144 for Arkansas-Fort Smith (6-1, 6-1), an established NCAA Division II power.

The Lions featured a balanced attack, with five players recording between five and eight kills, led by Faith Marabella. Courtney Crownover added 27 assists and 16 digs for Arkansas-Fort Smith.

UAFS jumped to a 5-0 lead in the opening set and the Eagles never recovered. OC was more competitive in the second set, again falling behind 5-0 but rallying to take leads of 15-14 and 16-15. The Lions responded with a 6-0 run to go up 21-16 and then finished off the set.

The Lions led 6-0 in the third set and were up by as many as nine points before closing the match.

Brylie Berryman had 15 assists for OC, while Jessica Souza added 12 assists and 10 digs for the Eagles.

The teams will play again at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.