Lady Braves Wrap Up Opening Weekend at UCA Invitational

CONWAY, Ark. – Freshmen KYLIE CAIN and BARBARA GARRETT stood out for the Alcorn State University volleyball program as the Lady Braves dropped four matches over the weekend at the University of Central Arkansas Invitational at the Farris Center.
 
Garrett fronted the Alcorn (0-4) attack in three of the four matches. She ended with a total of 17 kills, while Cain was also in double-figures with 11.
 
Senior libero CAROL KIAM-ASSATO contributed 31 digs and four service aces. Fellow senior SYDNEY MELLOM notched 28 assists.

"This weekend was a weekend of reality," head volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas-Nicholas said. "The team realized we have come a long way in two weeks but not long enough to be successful against the caliber of teams we played this weekend. I'm proud to say the girls made progress each game."
 
UL-Monroe def. Alcorn 3-0 (25-9, 25-7, 25-11)
Garrett led the Lady Braves with five kills and a .333 attacking percentage against the Warhawks (1-4). Mellom dished out 10 assists and added five digs.
 
Kiam-Assato matched UL-Monroe's libero Kacey LeBlanc with seven digs. The Warhawks were led by freshman outside hitter Grace Convey who posted six kills on eight attempts.
 
Oral Roberts def. Alcorn 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-12)
Garrett again spearheaded the Lady Braves attack with four kills. Kiam-Assato recorded a match-high nine digs in addition to two service aces. Cain added three kills on an efficient .600 attacking percentage. Seven different Alcorn student-athletes recorded kills in the match.
 
The Golden Eagles' (2-2) utilized a balanced attack to down the Lady Braves. ORU had four attackers with five-plus kills highlighted by Katarina Mikulic's match-high eight kills. Laura Milos and Rachel Provost each served five aces.
 
UCA def. Alcorn (25-10, 25-16, 25-13)
Garrett struck a team-high six kills and Kiam-Assato dug a match-high 10 balls for the Lady Braves. Mellom neared a double-double with eight digs and six assists. Alcorn's second set marked the most productive of the tournament, scoring 16 points on a .125 (7-4-24) attacking percentage.
 
Sugar Bears (3-3) duo Samantha Anderson (7) and Haley Tippett (8) combined for 15 of UCA's 33 kills. Setter Elizabeth Armstrong filled the stat sheet with 15 assists, nine digs and five aces.
 
Incarnate Word def. Alcorn (25-12, 25-13, 25-12)
The Lady Braves had five attackers with at least two kills including junior HEATHER JACKSON, sophomore LURLETHIA JONES and Cain who smashed three each. Alcorn also recorded a tournament-best four service aces, one each from Garrett, LETICIA GONZALES, Kiam-Assato and Mellom.
 
Emily Waller (8), Sarea Alexander (7) and Autumn Lockley (6) combined for 21 of the Cardinals' (2-4) 32 kills. Setter Madison Williams dished out 17 assists and served three aces.
 
The Lady Braves return to action Tuesday against Albany State University at 2 p.m.
 
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