The Sugar Bears fell short in a gritty match against the Liberty University Flames, losing 3-0 and dipping their ASUN Conference record to 10-4, 18-9 overall. 

“We were very calm and controlled when we were neck and neck with UCA. We stayed disciplined, confident, and aggressive when it was tight,” junior Flames setter Delaney Dilfer said.

UCA lost the first set 25-12 but bounced back in the second, setting the pace in the beginning with a 4-2 lead. The Sugar Bears lost that lead, coming to a head at 21-19. 

UCA’s Alex Stumbough secured a kill with hopes to turn the game around, but the Flames ultimately won the set 25-22 with a 2-0 set lead. 

“I think in tight moments, what really set our team apart was the ability to stay calm and together. UCA’s gym is a tough gym to play in, especially with a full crowd,” junior Flames outside hitter Kamryn Bacus said. “Our team did a great job of responding to that energy and using it to our advantage.” 

The Sugar Bears took the lead early again in the third set with a score of 5-2, but their efforts were not enough for Liberty’s front line as they lost the set 25-12. 

Dilfer said, “UCA is a great team and have been able to beat some hard teams in our conference. I think we did a really good job with our block and it made it a lot harder for them to score. UCA had a great hustle and defensive plays, but I think we capitalized on finding ways to put the ball away.”

The Sugar Bears had 24 kills compared to the Flames’ 41 kills, although the Sugar Bears had 90 attempts and the Flames had 89. 

Overall, the Sugar Bears had 33 points, 22 assists, five aces, and four blocks. Their hitting average was .011%, while the Flames had an average of .337%. 

Bacus said, “The biggest difference in this game was our ability to stay disciplined in our defensive scheme and shut down some of their key players early in the match.”

The Sugar Bears had 23 errors and the Flames had 11. UCA sophomore outside hitter Lilly Taylor was the lead scorer for the Sugar Bears with seven kills. Freshman setter Caylan Koons secured 15 assists, six digs, and two aces. 

“Our strengths were blocking, tough serving, finding the open court and siding out quick,” Bacus said. 

This is only the second loss for the Sugar Bears since Sept. 27 with 11 wins in their past 12 matches. 

Dilfer said, “Our weakness was that we struggled in serve receive at times and missed too many serves.”

The Sugar Bears will stay at home this week to play Austin Peay in a Senior Day matchup Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m.