Falcons Capture First Peach Belt Victory in School History

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo women's volleyball team (9-6, 1-0 PBC) became the first Montevallo team to capture a Peach belt Conference game in school history with a 3-0 sweep of UNC-Pembroke (5-7, 0-1 PBC). The Falcons were led by senior Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere) who had a match-high 14 kills along with five digs and three block assists. UM won in straight sets 25-23, 27-25 and 25-9.

"The team seemed a little overwhelmed with it being their first Peach Belt Conference match and to be at home and that showed in the first two sets," said head coach Katie O'Brien. "They began to relax as the match went on and it really showed in the third set where I thought they played really well."

The Falcons fell behind early in both the first and second sets but used late comebacks in both sets to capture a quick 2-0 lead. The Braves came close to winning the second set and after the Falcons captured victory the momentum seemed to swing all the way over to Montevallo's side. The Falcons went on in the third set and dominated hitting at a .440 percentage and picking up five service aces and only hitting two errors.

Handrick was helped by senior Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) who had seven kills, three aces and 10 digs while junior Rebecca Dowd (Dothan, Ala./Providence Christian School) had 10 kills along with six digs and three total blocks. Sophomore Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) continued her strong play at setter with 30 assists and 12 digs good for her eighth double-double of the season. Freshman Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) helped hold down the back line with a team0high 15 digs and three service aces.

The Falcons will return to the court tomorrow, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. as they host PBC opponent Francis Marion University who has not played in 10 days.