Stephen F. Austin
Central Arkansas
Ladyjacks Volleyball Season Comes to Close
11/22/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 22, 2013
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks volleyball team saw their season end on Friday at the Southland Conference Tournament after getting swept by regular season champion Central Arkansas. SFA lost 25-20, 25-19, 25-17 as the Sugar Bears remained undefeated against Southland Conference competition this season.
Justice Walker and Tori Bates led SFA (16-16) with nine kills apiece as Bates made her return after missing four matches. Walker had only two errors on the day to hit a strong .368 while also posting four blocks to help the Ladyjacks defensively at the net.
The Ladyjacks were able to use their defense to keep pace with Central Arkansas (27-3) through much of the match, but their offense could not find enough rhythm to take the extra step against the Sugar Bears. SFA posted 54 digs and was able to hold UCA under its season average for hitting percentage.
Sophomore libero OJ Olson tallied 16 digs to lead SFA, and junior right side hitter Jill Ivy added 12 while Madison Martin contributed 11. Ivy was limited on offense to only four kills and hit for a negative percentage, as UCA was able to slow SFA’s top offensive weapon on the season.
The Ladyjacks and Sugar Bears played close in the first two sets as SFA hung with the conference champion through much of the first set. SFA pulled within three points in the first set before UCA closed the door. The second set was similar with the Ladyjacks nipping at UCA’s heels and tying it at 15 points apiece, but the Sugar Bears pulled away with a 10-4 run to go up 2-0 into the break.
In the third set, SFA again battled early with four ties and lead changes. The Sugar Bears were able to keep the Ladyjacks’ offense from mounting any comeback, however, and closed the door 25-17 in the final set to end SFA’s season.
With the loss, SFA will turn its attention to the 2014 season, and the team will return all its major pieces. The Ladyjacks lose just two seniors off this year’s squad and return all-conference honorees Ivy and Olson along with a number of other key role players.
