University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball excited about ‘new’ challenges

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FORT SMITH -- Entering year 27 after starting the program herself, it's not often University of Arkansas at Fort Smith volleyball Coach Jane Sargent experiences new things during the season. She's been there and done that as the winningest collegiate volleyball coach in the state and a member of the UAFS Hall of Fame.

That won't be the case this year.

The Lions will experience plenty of newness joining the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association with unfamiliar opponents, cities, plenty of fresh faces as starters on their own team and even a first-year assistant coach. UAFS in its inaugural season was selected to finish seventh in the MIAA coaches poll with the year starting Friday at the Mountain Lion Classic in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"We are taking it as a challenge," Sargent said. "Those teams are established, so we get that. I think we are going to be one of the most athletic teams in the conference. I feel like we have a pretty high ceiling. We can keep getting better and better each week. We are excited. We'll have new places to go to, which means new sights to see and new places to eat. We are all foodies. We are looking forward to it all."

Increasing its win total from the season before by six, UAFS is coming off a standout year with a 22-8 record making it to the Lone Star Conference Tournament quarterfinals. While there will be plenty of new for UAFS this year, three returning starters in junior Caelyn Gunn, senior Nyia Anderson and junior Hannah Watkins of Greenwood return to form a talented core.

Gunn did it all last year for the Lions as a double-double machine. The Denton, Texas, native ranked first on the team in kills (377), second in digs (369), fourth in service aces (22), fourth in assists (36) and sixth in blocks (29). Starting since she was a freshman, Gunn has already left a legacy behind and is currently on pace to break the school's Division II record for kills.

"I actually haven't thought about it that much," Gunn said of breaking records. "But then not that long ago, I looked at my stats to see where I was at. I have a goal of getting 1,000 kills while I'm here, so I was seeing where I was at. I'm excited to have the opportunity to be in a record book. This program is fantastic. I haven't quite wrapped my head around it yet. I'm so excited for this season. I feel this team is in a good spot and no one is ready for us to come into the conference. We have an amazing group this year."

Anderson missed the entire 2022 season, but it didn't show with her performance last year with a career campaign. She finished second on the team in kills (302), fourth in digs (286) and fourth in blocks (50). While the Grand Prairie, Texas, native is unsure if she has a year of eligibility left or not, she is determined to take her game to another level.

"Honestly it was the coaching staff putting us in tough positions in practice and it translated to the game," Anderson said. "I know I didn't play the 2022 season, but you definitely saw the training I did from 2022 and 2023. Along with being the vocal leader that I am, I try to make everybody else better around me. I want to be that person on the court. I'm going to play every year like it's my last. If this is my last one, I want to go out strong."

Watkins had a banner year setting the tone defensively for UAFS winning conference defensive player of the year honors. The former Greenwood Lady Bulldog finished with a team-high 136 blocks and was fourth on the team in kills with 209. Watkins is battling an injury to start the year, but Sargent knows Watkins will again be a big part of the Lions' season.

"In my opinion, we have to get her the ball a little more and not rely so heavily on our pins," Sargent said. "Hopefully that will come from just learning the connection between middles and setter. She really did it all last year and the awards she won showed that. I'm very proud of her."

Fellow returners Kaelyn McDonald, Trinity Funderburk, Sophia McIntyre, Macie Grams (Fort Smith Northside), Brianna Ball (Van Buren) and Laci Gratkowski will look to play key roles as well. Newcomers in Scarlette Young (projected starting setter), Taylor Damme, Brelee Mauldin, Lyric Steward, Calista Miller, Morgan Creer, Brooke Rifkin, Summer Meyer and Jacia Hayes with new assistant coach Catherine Hunter all seek to make an impact right away.

"We are excited about our recruiting class," Sargent said. "We feel like we have a lot of new talent. We've had some really fun days with team bonding. The girls have really grown together. It's been a good mix with an even amount of returners and newcomers. We are excited about this new group. We really think this could be a great season for us continuing to build on our progress."

Caelyn Gunn is a key returner for the 2024 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball team. (Photos courtesy of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith media relations)

Hannah Watkins (Photos courtesy of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith media relations)

Former Greenwood standout Hannah Watkins looks to be a big factor in the middle for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball team. (Photos courtesy of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith media relations)

Nyiah Anderson (Photos courtesy of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith media relations)

Nyia Anderson returns for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball team. (Photos courtesy of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith media relations)

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University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball excited about ‘new’ challenges

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