Falcons Sweep Season Series with Francis Marion, 3-0

FLORENCE, S.C. - The University of Montevallo volleyball team (15-12, 5-6 PBC) downed Francis Marion University (11-15, 3-7 PBC) 3-0 for the second time this season to sweep the season-series. The Falcons were coming off a 13-day layoff due to the cancellation of their most recent tournament. The rust did not show as the Falcons won in convincing fashion 25-21, 25-18 and 25-20.

"It's nice to be back on the court and try some of the new things we've been working on," said head coach Katie O'Brien. "We really spread the kills out among several hitters. It's all about getting better for the conference tournament."

The Falcons were led by senior Katy Handrick (De Pere, Wisc./De Pere) who had 10 kills and eight digs. Freshman Virginia Clay (Fort Collins, Colo./Poudre) had one of the best matches of her career as she chipped in nine kills and a team-high six blocks. Senior Katie Johnson (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) had eight kills, 10 digs and three blocks while senior Carson Anderson (Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor) had seven kills and three blocks.

Sophomore Anna Garrison (LaVergne, Tenn./LaVergne) had another double-double with 38 assists and 11 digs. The two defensive specialists on the team had big nights as freshman libero Brittany Wilson (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) led the team in digs with 20 while sophomore Rachel Wotitzky (Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) chipped in the second highest dig total with 11.

The Falcons jumped out with a first strong set as they hit .344 as a team and held the Patriots to just .083. Despite it being the closest score on the scoreboard it was the strongest hitting set for the Falcons the entire night. UM went on to win the next two sets in dominating fashion but never reached the .344 mark again.

The Falcons will return to the court tomorrow, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. as they try to earn another season-sweep as they battle Peach Belt Conference rival UNC-Pembroke.