MONTGOMERY, AL --The Prairie View A&M University volleyball team encountered a formidable opponent in the Arizona Wildcats on September 6, 2024, at Lockhart Gym  in Montgomery, AL. Despite a spirited effort, Prairie View was defeated in a regular season contest in straight sets with scores of 25-20, 25-20, and 25-18.

Throughout the three sets, Prairie View showed resilience. Key players such as Kylee Owens, D'Mya Hill, and Iyonna Sherwood made notable contributions with critical kills. Defensively, Kiersten Atkinson and Janyah Henderson came up with significant blocks, substantially impacting the game's dynamics. Leila Smalls and Leah Lawson contributed effectively in the backcourt, with Smalls also earning the team's sole ace of the match.

Leah Lawson worked tirelessly to set up plays, demonstrating the team's determination to fight despite the challenging odds. The loss moves Prairie View's record to 0-6 for the season, still seeking their first win. The team is scheduled to face Alabama State in their next outing on September 7, 2024, in Montgomery, Ala., hoping to turn their fortunes around in this home fixture.

Owens finished with nine kills on the day to lead the Lady Panthers attack. PVAMU got 12 digs from Smalls along with six blocks from Atkinson to lead them defensively.

Game Notes

» Smalls had a team-high two aces in the loss.
» Atkinson had a match-high six blocks.
» Owens had a team-high nine kills for Prairie View A&M.
» Prairie View A&M got a team-high 12 digs from Smalls.
» Prairie View A&M attackers were helped by a team-high 23 assists from Lawson.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Lady Panthers found themselves in an early deficit, dropping the first set 25-20. Arizona grabbed the advantage for good at 17-16 in a set that was tied up nine times before the Wildcats took over in the second half of the stanza.

SET 2 | Prairie View A&M fell in set two 25-20, digging a 2-0 deficit in the match. The Lady Panthers trailed by as many as six points as Arizona grabbed the advantage for good at 8-7 in a set that was knotted up five times before the Wildcats took over the lead.

SET 3 | Prairie View A&M could not win the third set and was swept by Arizona. The Lady Panthers fell in a tough set 25-18. Prairie View A&M trailed by as many as seven points as Arizona grabbed the advantage for good at 19-18 in a set that was tied up nine times before the Wildcats took over in the second half of the stanza.