Falcons Split on First Day of UM Classic

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo women's volleyball team (4-3) split on the opening day of the UM Volleyball Classic. The Falcons opened up the tournament with a 3-2 loss to Arkansas Tech (3-2) before hammering the University of West Georgia (3-4), 3-0. The Falcons were led by sophomore setter Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) who picked up her fourth and fifth double-doubles of the season.

The Falcons battled tough in the first match with ATU as the first two sets were decided by just two points each. The Falcons lost the first set 25-23 before winning the second set by the same score. In the third set the Falcons took over with a 25-20 victory but that would be all the winning the Falcons would do in the opening match as the Golden Suns went on to win the fourth and fifth set 25-18 and 15-10.

The Falcons were led by Garrison who had 40 assists and a team-high 17 digs. Seniors Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) and Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere) led the way offensively with 11 and 14 kills, respectively. Johnson also chipped in four blocks while fellow seniors Carson Anderson (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor) and Lauren Markle (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) had five each. Freshman Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) continued her solid play at libero picking up 16 digs and three service aces.

In the second match the Falcons hit the ground running and never looked back as they dominated the Wolves from the start. The Falcons won set one 25-19 then took set two by the same score before finishing off the match with a 25-17 win. The contest took just over an hour to complete as the Falcons wasted no time getting the job done.

Garrison once again posted a double-double with 28 assists and 14 digs. Markle and junior Kara Zawisza (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) each had eight kills to lead the team. Markle also chipped in four blocks. Johnson had another solid match with five kills, six digs and four blocks. Freshman Virginia Clay (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) came in late in the contest and picked up four kills and three blocks including a solo stop. Wilson also chipped in another double-digit digs performance with 19.

The Falcons will return to the court tomorrow, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. as they host Valdosta State University.