Handrick Dominates as UM Takes Two at UAH Invite

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - Senior Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere) had a standout two matches as the University of Montevallo women's volleyball team (7-4) picked up two victories over former Gulf South Conference rivals. Handrick had 50 kills along with 22 digs over the two matches with an outstanding .432 attack percentage as she led the way for the Falcons.

"Today was a reflection of our hard work this week," said head coach Katie O'Brien. "Katy (Handrick) played the best volleyball she has ever played and we expect to see more performances like that throughout the season. Virginia Clay saw significant playing time and stepped up while Carson Anderson established the middle."

The Falcons used two gutsy performances to pull out victories today. In both matches the Falcons saw themselves trailing but used hard work to overcome the deficit. UM lost the first set to HSU 25-16 but fought back in set two to take a 25-21 victory. HSU once again took over in set three winning 25-16.

It looked like the match could be over in the fourth set as HSU led almost the entire way but a timeout as the Falcons trailed 17-12 seemed to spark the offense. UM came back to tie the set at 21 all and it was HSU's turn to call for a timeout but fortunately for the Falcons the timeout did not spark the same emotions in the Lady Reddies as it had for the Falcons. UM went on to win the final four points and win set four 25-21.

That was all the motivation the Falcons needed as they went on to dominate the fifth set walking away with a 15-10 victory.

Handrick led the way for the Falcons with 23 kills and only three errors for a .476 hitting percentage while junior Rebecca Dowd (Dothan, Ala./Providence Christian School) chipped in 10 kills. Handrick also had nine digs. Senior Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) had a team-high 13 digs and 6 blocks while sophomore Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) continued her steady play at setter with 49 assists and nine digs.

Freshman Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) had 12 digs from her libero position while classmate Virginia Clay (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) picked up two solo blocks and a block assist for three total blocks.

The second match was a very close and hard-fought affair as both the first and the second sets went into extra points. The Falcons won set one 28-26 before dropping the second set 27-25. Following the two back-and-forth sets the Falcons offense turned it on. They hit for a stellar .400 attack percentage in set three and an even more impressive .500 in set four with just five errors over the final two sets.

Handrick once again led the way with 27 kills and a .396 attack percentage. She captured a double-double, her fifth of the year, with a team-high 13 digs. Senior's Johnson and Carson Anderson (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor) each had 11 kills. Johnson picked up a double-double with 10 digs and Anderson led the way in blocks with five. She was tied for the lead with Dowd who also had five blocks.

Clay continued her strong play with eight kills and three blocks in limited action. Sophomore Rachel Wotitzky (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) had 10 digs while classmate Garrison chipped in 53 assists and eight digs.

The Falcons will return to the court tomorrow, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. as they take on Harding University at the UAH Invitational.