FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo volleyball team fell in the opening two games of the Tusculum Invitational tournament Sept. 9.

The Falcons (2-5) opened the day with a 3-1 loss to Lees-McRae College before dropping a 3-0 match to host Tusculum.

Freshman Katie Best, a Spain Park High School graduate, led the Falcons in the opening game recording eight kills and three blocks. She also had just one error and a .412 attack percentage.

Sophomore Manyi Ati took over in the second match with 13 kills, two blocks and a .385 attack percentage.

Montevallo won the opening game against Lees-McRae 25-23 before dropping three-straight sets 25-18, 25-12 and 25-23. Junior Lucy Perez was second on the team in kills with seven. She also had a pair of blocks. Freshman Michelle Walker chipped in five kills, a solo block and three digs.

Senior setter Anna Garrison returned for her first match of the year with 24 assists and 18 digs. Lees-McRae had 18 service aces, nine blocks and a .129 attack percentage compared to Montevallo’s four aces, seven blocks and .043 attack percentage.

In match number two, the Pioneers swept the Falcons 25-19, 25-21 and 25-14.

Walker was second on the team in kills with nine behind Ati. Garrison had 29 assists and 12 digs while freshman Brianna Guzinski chipped in a team-high 13 digs.

The Falcons had just a .061 attack percentage compared to Tusculum’s .275.

Montevallo will continue play at the Tusculum Invitational Sept. 10 as the Falcons take on Lenoir-Rhyne and King.