LARAMIE, Wyo. - Northern Arizona volleyball dropped its opening match of the season, 3-0, to Central Arkansas at the UniWyo Sports Complex on Friday.  The Lumberjacks lost by sets of 25-23, 25-18, and 25-17.  The women play Murray State at 5 p.m. later today.

NAU (0-1) played its best volleyball earlier in the match with a first set that produced 13 ties and six lead changes.  The Lumberjacks held a 19-14 lead over Central Arkansas (1-0) but could not finish the set as the Bears fought back to tie the score at 20-20.

The teams traded points until Central Arkansas scored back-to-back to take the game and a 1-0 match lead.

NAU kept the second set close through 14 points with the score tied at 7-7 before Central Arkansas opened up a five-point cushion and held it for the remainder of the set.  The third set unfolded in similar fashion with the Lumberjacks falling behind earlier and chipping away at the lead the rest of the way.

Sophomore Lexi Sullivan led NAU with 10 kills (3.33 kps) and a .192 hitting percentage.  Freshman Niki Small totaled seven kills (2.33 kps) with a team-high .357 hitting percentage.  Sophomore Anna Gott posted 12 digs (4.00 dps) and sophomore Kelli Dallmann led with 20 assists (6.7 aps).

Central Arkansas hit .228 as a team with Jessica Hays and Chloe Smith combining for 27 kills.  The Lumberjacks hit .088 on the day.

NAU plays Murray State at 5 p.m. at the UniWyo Sports Complex for its final match on day one of the Wyoming Invite.  The Lumberjacks matches against Southern Utah, at 9 a.m., and Wyoming, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 28.

DID YOU KNOW…Three Lumberjack student-athletes were among the 37 graduating seniors that were recognized with the prestigious Gold Axe Award in 2010 for their achievements. The recipients included Jessi Jones (women's swimming), Lauren Salter (track and field) and Emy Ziemba (cheer and dance). The athletics department has produced 16 Gold Axe recipients since 2004.