Falcons Lose Heartbreaker at AASU, 3-2

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The University of Montevallo women's volleyball team (10-7, 2-1 PBC) dropped its first Peach Belt Conference contest of the season in a tough 3-2 match at Armstrong Atlantic State University (9-4, 2-1 PBC). The Falcons took a 2-1 lead into the fourth set but were unable to capture the victory as the Pirates used a strong comeback to win 3-2.

The Falcons were led by their seniors Carson Anderson (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor), Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere), Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) and Lauren Markle (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame). Anderson led all Falcons with 15 kills and had an outstanding .429 attack percentage with just three errors. Handrick picked up her seventh double-double of the season with 11 kills and 13 digs. Johnson chipped in 13 kills while Markle had eight kills and a .421 attack percentage.

Sophomore setter Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) picked up her fourth-straight double-double and 10^th overall with 43 assists and 12 digs. She also chipped in a team-high three service aces. Freshman libero Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) had 18 digs to lead the team.

The Falcons got off to a rocky start as they dropped the first set 25-16 but they stormed back in the second set to gain an equally impressive 25-17 victory. The third set was a highly competitive game as the Falcons squeaked out a 25-23 victory. The fourth set was much like the third but the Pirates came out on top with a 25-21 win.

It all came down to the fifth and final set and it looked like victory was in reach for the Falcons as they took 9-6 lead early in the set. The Pirates went on to win nine of the next 13 points to capture the victory 15-13.

The Falcons will return to the court tomorrow, Sept. 26 at 12:00 p.m. as they travel to Flagler College for another tough conference contest. Flagler most recently beat Augusta State 3-0 to improve its conference record to a league best 3-1.