SALISBURY, N.C. – The University of Montevallo volleyball team defeated Queens University and host Catawba College in their final two matches Sept. 7 at the season-opening Catawba Classic.
Montevallo defeated Queens University 25-14, 29-27, 25-15 in the first match of the day before capping the event with a 25-10, 25-15, 25-15 win over host Catawba.
The Falcons posted a .296 attack percentage in the victory over Queens.
Senior Manyi Ati led the Falcons (2-1) as she posted her first double-double of the season with 13 kills and 13 digs while finishing the match with a .393 attack percentage.
Sophomore Rebekah Phelps also added a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs while recording a .310 attack percentage.
Ati and Phelps were each named to the All-Tournament team.
Senior Michelle Carle chipped in eight kills. Sophomores Briana Marquez, who finished with a perfect 1.000 attack percentage in four attempts, and Anna Quinn recorded four kills each.
Senior Kaleigh Harvey posted a team-high 16 digs.
Marquez registered a match-high 34 assists in the win.
Phelps sparked a 4-0 run midway through the opening set with a pair of kills as the Falcons coasted to a 25-14 win in the set while posting a .400 attack percentage.
After Queens rallied to tie the second set at 23-23, the Falcons held on to secure a 29-27 win in the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Montevallo clinched the victory with a 25-15 win in the final set. The Falcons closed out the victory with back-to-back kills by Ati and Phelps.
The Falcons defeated host Catawba 25-15, 25-10, 25-15 in their final match in the event. Montevallo finished with a .320 attack percentage in the win.
Ati led Montevallo with 14 kills in the victory while posting a .478 attack percentage.
Best, who finished with a .467 attack percentage, and Carle who posted a .385 attack percentage, along with Quinn and Phelps, added seven kills each in the match.
Harvey registered a team-high 15 digs, while Phelps added 12 digs in the victory. Marquez, who recorded nine digs, led the Falcons with 40 assists in the win.
The Falcons took the first set against host Catawba, 25-15. Montevallo scored eight of the final 11 points, fueled by kills from Carle and Quinn, to claim the opening set.
Montevallo used a quick 7-1 spurt, which included kills by Best and Ati, to start the second set on their way to a 25-10 win in the frame.
The Falcons closed out the match with a 25-15 win in the final set. Best recorded a pair of kills to spark Montevallo during a 5-0 run midway through the set to help the Falcons coast to victory.
The Falcons will return to action Tuesday, Sept. 10 in their home opener against the University of West Georgia. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
