Falcons Pick Up Two Wins on Opening Day

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The University of Montevallo women's volleyball team (2-0) picked up two huge wins at the University of West Florida Comfort Inn-vitational. The Falcons took on two tough opponents in Henderson State University (0-1) and Florida Tech (1-1). UM opened the day against HSU and won 3-1 (25-21, 25-14, 26-28, 25-16) and then defeated Florida Tech 3-2 (25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11).

"Today was a little bit of a roller coaster ride but we showed character and came out on top," said head coach Katie O'Brien. "We hope this will build their confidence in themselves and each other."

Freshman Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) burst on to the scene in her first two matches in Purple and Gold picking up 12 digs in the first match before exploding for 33 digs in the second match. Sophomore Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) secured two double-doubles with 42 assists and 20 digs in match one and 43 assists and 12 digs in match two.

Leading the hitters were Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) and Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere). Johnson had a team-high 16 kills in the first match along with nine digs and scored a double-double in the second match with 14 kills and 12 digs. Handrick had two double-doubles with 10 kills and 16 digs in the first match before picking up 14 kills and 13 digs in match two.

Lauren Markle (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) shined in the first match with 13 kills and three blocks while Carson Anderson (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor) took over blocking duties in match two with four blocks including two solo.

Sophomore Rachel Wotitzky (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) was strong defensively with eight digs in match one and 10 digs in the second match.

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead in the first match after taking the first two games 25-21 and 25-14. In the second game the Falcons hit for a team-high .429 attack percentage. They fought a tough battle in game three falling by the slimmest of margins 28-26. The Falcons put the match away as they hit .318 in the final game while holding HSU to only .125.

In the second match it was a back-and-forth affair as the Falcons took game one before falling in games two and three. Despite hitting .089 in game four the Falcons pulled out a 25-21. In the fifth and final set the Falcons exploded with a .400 attack percentage while FT was only able to manage .136.

The Falcons will return to the court tomorrow, Aug. 29 at 10:30 a.m. as they take on Lynn University.