HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville volleyball team rallied but fell just short in a thriller against rival North Alabama, falling 3-1 (25-14, 21-25, 25-10, 26-24) on Tuesday night at Spragins Hall. The loss drops UAH to 9-21 overall and 4-9 in the conference as UNA improves to 22-6 on the year and 11-3 in league play.

UNA took control of the first set by jumping out to a 5-1 lead early and continued to extend the lead to 21-9. The Lions went on to win the opening game, 25-14.

The Lady Chargers answered back in the second set, however, with a 25-21 victory to even the games at 1-1. The third set was much of the same as the first with UNA storming out early to a 12-2 advantage, never looking back en route to a 25-10 victory.

In the fourth set, before an energized crowd of over 500 fans, UAH looked to be on its way to rallying for a fifth and decisive set. UNA led early in the game, 8-3, before the Lady Chargers went on a 13-8 run to tie the set at 16-16. From there, the teams traded points before the Lions took a 23-21 lead. UAH scored two quick points to tie the game at 23-23, but UNA went on to win with extra points, 26-24.

Senior Jessica Ruple led the match with 19 digs – one shy of her season-best number – while sophomore Angela Thurmond led the way offensively with a team-high 13 kills and .458 hitting percentage. UNA's Natalie Marsh posted a match-high 17 kills.

As a team, the Lady Chargers posted a .140 hitting percentage while the Lions were hitting at a .232 clip for the match.