FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo volleyball team took advantage of home court as the Falcons won both of their matches at the Coca-Cola tri-match Sept. 17, including their first Peach Belt Conference match of the season.

The Falcons (5-6 overall, 1-1 in Peach Belt Conference) defeated conference rival Augusta State University 3-0 and defeated the University of Alabama in Huntsville, 3-1.

Sophomore Manyi Ati led the team in kills in both matches, while senior libero Rachel Wotitzky broke her own record for digs in a three-game match for the second time this season. Wotitzky had 30 digs against Augusta State, which breaks the Falcons’ record she set earlier this season of 29.

Against Augusta State, the Falcons hit .291 as a team and held the Jags to just .126. The Falcons won in straight sets 25-22, 25-14 and 25-16.

Ati led the team in kills with 12 while hitting .417. Sophomore Michelle Carle finished second with 11 kills. Senior Jessica Guidry chipped in 18 digs to finish second behind Wotitzky.

Senior setter Anna Garrison added 45 assists and seven digs.

Montevallo then took down UAH in four sets 25-22, 15-25, 25-19 and 25-20.

Ati led with 16 kills and seven digs while freshman Michelle Walker chipped in 13 kills, 10 digs and four blocks.

Freshman Katie Best, a Spain Park High School graduate had a team-best seven blocks while adding six kills. Garrison had another strong performance at setter with 47 assists and 16 digs. Wotitzky was not far behind at libero with 14 digs. Guidry added 12 digs as well.

The Falcons hit .232 as a team and held the Chargers to .173. The match featured a long rally that featured many diving digs and great attack attempts that eventually was won by the Falcons and brought a standing ovation from the crowd.

Montevallo will try and carry the home-court momentum into a pair of matches next weekend as the Falcons host Armstrong Atlantic State University on Friday and Flagler College on Saturday.