The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's volleyball team will open up their 2022 fall campaign on Friday, Aug. 26th at the Southeast Missouri State invitational.

The Lady Lions will open the tournament against the host team Southeast Missouri State at 12:30 p.m, followed by conference affiliate Jackson State at 4 p.m.

Gabrielle Floyd enters her first season as head coach of the Lady Lions.

Under new direction, the Lady Lions return some key players from a season ago. Nikole Akamine was named to the Southwestern Athletic Conference's preseason team as a second-team selection. Akamine led the team in assists (508), service aces (38), and third in digs (204) last season. Zykia Jones made a huge impact as a freshman a season ago for the Lady Lions, finishing second on the team in kills (201) to help UAPB finish conference fourth in hitting percentage and kills. 

Kori Diego returns after leading the team in blocks (97.0) to help UAPB finish conference second in blocks. Diego finished third in the SWAC in hitting percentage (.311) and finished fourth in the SWAC in blocks. Kaila Robinson, who was tabbed as the 2019 Newcomer of the Year, returns for her final season with the Lady Lions as one of the leaders of the team.

The invitational matches continue over to Saturday, where UAPB will match against North Dakota State at 11 a.m.