SCORE
Montevallo 3, Flagler 1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 25-21)
RECORDS
Montevallo (19-10 overall, 10-5 in Peach Belt Conference)
Flagler (18-6 overall, 11-4 in Peach Belt Conference)
LOCATION
Trustmark Arena (Montevallo, Ala.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Montevallo remained undefeated at home this season at Trustmark Arena with a 3-1 victory in the match between two teams currently ranked in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region rankings.
The Falcons, who are ranked No. 7 in the region, topped the Saints, who are ranked No. 4 in the region, 25-23 in the opening set. Montevallo overcame a 16-11 deficit midway through the frame and ended the set with an impressive 14-7 run to secure the win. A 7-1 spurt, capped with a kill by junior Chandler Cooper, helped the Falcons take back the momentum in the frame.
Flagler responded with a 25-22 win in the second set to tie the match at 1-1. The Saints led throughout the frame. A service ace by sophomore Kristy Bohan trimmed the Saints' lead to 16-15 midway through the frame before a 4-0 run by Flagler provided enough breathing room as the visitors held off the Falcons down the stretch.
Montevallo opened the third set with an impressive 10-4 run on its way to clinching a 25-16 victory in the frame. Back-to-back kills by Cooper capped the early run for the Falcons. Flagler managed to tie the set at 10-10 on an attack error by Cooper, but the Falcons never relinquished the lead down the stretch. Montevallo ended the frame with a 5-0 run with sophomore Breana Thomas providing the final kill to clinch the set.
The Falcons clinched the match with a 25-21 win in the fourth and final set. Flagler jumped out to an early 4-0 lead following a kill by Sara Davis. Montevallo responded with a 9-0 run to quickly take back the momentum in the frame, with senior Nicole Holton capping the spurt with a kill. Montevallo held off the Saints down the stretch and clinched the match with a 4-1 run, which included a pair of kills from both Holton and fellow senior Rebekah Phelps.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Senior Carissa Bell registered a match-high 29 digs, marking the fifth time in the past nine matches the reigning co-Libero of the Year in the Peach Belt Conference has recorded 29 digs or more in a match.
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
The Falcons are looking to finish off their first undefeated season at home since the 2003 season, their final season in Myrick Hall on the University of Montevallo campus, with a victory against Armstrong State University on Saturday, Nov. 7 in their final home match of the regular season.
Phelps registered her ninth double-double of the season as posted 13 kills and 12 digs in the victory.
Senior Briana Marquez nearly recorded her ninth double-double of the season after finishing with a team-high 43 assists and eight digs.
UP NEXT
The Falcons will return to action Saturday, Nov. 7 with a Peach Belt Conference match against Armstrong State University at Trustmark Arena. Montevallo will celebrate the careers of seniors Briana Marquez, Carissa Bell, Nicole Holton and Rebekah Phelps before the final regular season home match at 1 p.m.
