UNA volleyball played their biggest game on Sunday against the University of Alabama. They suffered a 1-3 loss, but not without a fight. The largest final point difference was six points.
The game broke the attendance record at CB&S Bank Arena with 2,106 attendees total. The previous record held 935 fans in 2015.
Other teams on campus showed immense support for the Lions in the stands and online. Men’s basketball watched courtside while the soccer team tuned in on a bus drive to their game in Tennessee.
Everything came full circle before the match. It was announced the annual UNA Classic would be renamed the Noona Kennard Volleyball Tournament.
97 year old Noona Kennard brought volleyball to Alabama because high school sports were considered illegal in the 1950s. She organized independent teams until high school sports were officially recognized in Alabama and led Bradshaw (Now Florence) High School to the first AHSAA State volleyball championship in 1971. Additionally, she had seven championships with two titles and a 150-82 coaching record.
Kennard also coached volleyball for the Lions in 1974 and led her team to runner-ups in the state with a 28-8 record, which was also recognized on Sunday.
Head Coach Tristan Johnson noted meeting Kennard was one of the most special moments of his coaching career.
“[Kennard] is a gem and we don’t have many of those gems left that gave these young women these opportunities. You’re standing on the shoulders of somebody that had to literally crawl themselves just for you to start. I think it’s so important that we don’t lose sight of that or we’ll lose the respect for it,” said Johnson.
She earned a standing ovation on the court before getting to watch her legacy throughout the years prove a change for generations of young women.
Johnson said, “I just think that for someone to pour their heart and soul into something, and for them to see the benefits of that passion, there’s nothing greater than that.”
With a packed vault and a bittersweet pregame, both teams and the audience prepared for an intense game.
The Lions started strong with a 25-17 first-set win behind 12 kills and four aces. Alabama responded by taking the next three sets to secure the match.
The Lions fought hard, tying set two at 15 and cutting The Tide’s leads late in sets three and four. They ultimately came up short in a 3-1 loss. They are now tied 1-1 after UNA defeated them 3-0 last season.
Outside hitter Kendall Barnes finished with 12 kills. Setter Kinslee McGowan led the team with 36 assists and 11 digs. Jenna Kolosta started her freshman year strong with a career high of five blocks.
Johnson noted that he approaches the team’s postgame conversations based on execution rather than wins and losses.
He said, “I’m just really proud of the team and the growth that they’ve shown and the care that they have of getting better.”
The Lions head to Houston Sept. 19-20 for the Cougar Challenge with their heads held high
