Falcons Drop Hard Fought Match, 3-1

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo women's volleyball team (11-9, 2-3 PBC) fell in a hard fought match with Augusta State University (11-8, 3-4 PBC), 3-1. The Falcons and Jaguars battled in every set and all but one came down to the final points. The Falcons had three players with double-digit kills and five with double-digit digs in a strong effort.

The Jaguars jumped on the Falcons early in the match taking set one 25-18 and leading most of the way but after that initial shock the Falcons settled down and played ASU tough. In the second set it was the Falcons who came out on top as the won a tough back-and-forth set 25-23. The third set was even more of a nail biter as there were five lead changes and 11 tie scores but the Jaguars pulled it off in the end 25-23.

The fourth and final set looked like it would be a runaway for the Jags as they jumped out to an 11-4 lead but the Falcons used strong serving and tough defense to claw their way back into the match eventually tying it a 20-20. The Jags would not be denied as they turned it on in the end pulling away 25-22.

The Falcons were led by senior Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) who had 13 kills and 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Fellow senior Lauren Markle (Metamora, Ill./Peoria Notre Dame) led the team in hitting percentage (.310) and blocks (5) while chipping in 11 kills. Junior Rebecca Dowd (Dothan, Ala./Providence Christian School) had 10 kills and four blocks including Montevallo's lone solo block.

Senior Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere) chipped in eight kills and 14 digs just two kills shy of a double-double. Sophomore Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) also fell just shy of a double-double with 42 assists and nine digs.

Junior Kara Zawisza (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline) came in late in the match and picked up 11 digs in limited action. Freshman Rachel Wotitzky (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) also jumped in on the dig party picking up 10.

The standout defensively was freshman libero Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) who almost picked up the most unconventional double-double of the season with 25 digs and seven service aces. She was just two service aces away from breaking the school record for SA's in a single match.

The Falcons will return to the court Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6:00 p.m. as they travel to USC-Aiken for a PBC match-up.