ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The UT Dallas volleyball team started the 2026 season with a three-set sweep over Arkansas-Fort Smith to open the Bettye Wallace Classic in the Duke Wells Center Friday morning. The Comets defeated the Lions 25-21, 25-23, 25-13.
UTD took control of the first set by jumping out to a 12-6 start. They maintained at least a two-point lead before finishing off UAFS 25-21. The Comets hit .207 with 19 kills, while the Lions hit .164 with 14 kills.
The second set featured several big rallies. With the Comets up 19-16, the Lions went on a 5-0 run to take a 21-19 advantage. UTD answered with a 6-2 run, including two aces from
Scarlette Young and a pair of kills by
Addison Schnautz.
The Comets dominated the third set with a 7-0 start. They led 20-7 before finishing the match with a 25-13 win. UTD hit .205 while UAFS hit -.054 in the final set.
For the match, the Comets hit .181 with 41 kills, eight aces, nine total blocks and 76 digs. The Lions hit .103 on 34 kills, one ace, nine blocks and 71 digs.
UT Dallas Notes
- The match was the earliest in the calendar year in Comet history.
- Young nearly pulled of a triple-double, recording eight kills, 10 assists and 11 digs in her UTD debut. She also hit three aces and hit .300.
- Sophomore outside
Jane Burkhardt led UTD with 12 kills and recorded 10 digs for a double-double performance.
- Schnautz added nine kills.
- Sophomore setter
Abby Gentner recorded 10 assists and six digs.
- Senior middle blocker
Laura See added five kills and four total blocks.
- Freshman
Avery Gray led the back row with 21 digs and served two aces.
- Senior libero
Mari Hernandez recorded 17 digs and moved up to eighth place on the UTD career list with 1,226.
- Five student-athletes made their Comet debut - Young, Schnautz and Gray,
Lola Fisher and
Savannah Welch.
- A total of 169 players have donned the UTD uniform since 2004.
Arkansas-Fort Smith Notes
- Lydia Pitts recorded eight kills and 13 digs for the Lions.
- Emily Parker and Codi Jackson each had eight kills as well.
- Mayli Whetter posted 26 assists and 15 digs.
- Abbey Jackson led the Lions with 18 digs.
- Parker also came up with four blocks
Up Next
UTD will continue the Bettye Wallace Classic Friday afternoon with Augustana (S.D.).
