UWA volleyball pulls off Saturday sweep

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – It was another impressive day for the University of West Alabama volleyball program (3-1) as the squad ousted its two opponents to leave the Henderson State Tournament with three wins in two days.

The Tigers got an early glance at the Gulf South Conference with a contest against Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday. It was interim head coach Mike Shearer’s team that got the most of that dual with a 3-1 triumph over the Chargers. Meanwhile, UWA started the morning with a dominating 3-0 victory against Lemoyne-Owen.

Freshman Morgan Ray stole the show for the Tigers once again on Saturday with a 21-kill performance and a .383 attack percentage against the Chargers. Ray finished the tournament with 52 kills in four matches.

The Tigers came out strong in the first match with a 25-5 first-game triumph over Lemoyne-Owen. UWA cruised with relative ease in the final two games, winning 25-15, and 25-18.

UWA’s contest against UAH was a little more difficult, but still the Tigers led most of the way. After splitting the first two games, the Tigers clinched the match with 25-18 and 25-16 wins in the final two games.

Helping Ray’s cause on Saturday were Carly Wehling and Tazra Pitts, who combined for 23 kills against the Chargers, while Chelsea Payne registered four service aces on the day.

With the two Saturday wins, West Alabama moves to 3-1 on the season before heading to Huntsville, Ala., for the UAH Tournament next weekend.