MONTEVALLO, Ala. -  In a thrilling five-set win, the University of Montevallo volleyball team handed Union University its first Gulf South Conference loss of the year, 3-2, in Trustmark Arena, Friday.
 
In gritty fashion, the Falcons pulled out a 15-13 win in the fifth-set, to improve to 6-2 in GSC play. The win marks the second-consecutive five-set win and the fifth overall on the year
 
Montevallo opened the match with a 25-22 win in the first set before dropping the second, 25-18. The Falcons asserted dominance in the third set, winning 25-17. Union battled out of a hole in the fourth set, winning 27-25 to force the tiebreaking fifth. The Falcons hit .273 in the fifth set to win, 15-13, and the match 3-2.
 
In a match that featured 45 ties and 22 lead changes, the Falcons prevailed. Outside of the third set, both teams traded points throughout and were unable to build many large leads. A 10-0 run in third set, the largest of the match, vaulted Montevallo in front 21-8. Union held one of its largest leads of the match, 18-14, in the fourth set. UM worked out of the hole and took a 21-19 lead following a 7-1 run but fell short in the set, 27-25. The fifth set was back-and-forth throughout as neither side held larger than a two-point lead.
 
Blocking was an early advantage for Montevallo as they notched four in the first set, but each side ended with 10 apiece. A timely block in the final set from Morgan Hoffman secured the win. Hoffman totaled three solo blocks and one block assist in the match.
 
On the offensive end, Allie Dishman led the way with a career-high 22 kills while hitting a remarkable .568. She committed just one error. Macy Martin added 18 kills at a .267 clip.


Match Information

Score: Montevallo 3, Union 2 (25-22, 18-25, 25-17, 25-27, 15-13)
Records: Montevallo (14-6, 6-2) | Union (14-5, 7-1)
Location: Trustmark Arena | Montevallo, Ala.    

GAME NOTES
 

• Montevallo narrowly edged the Bulldogs, .238 to .234 in hit percentage.
• Serving featured a big difference between the two sides as Union committed 13 service errors, compared to Montevallo's seven.
• The largest lead of the match was in the Falcons jumped out to a 21-8 lead with a 10-0 run.
• Throughout the match there were 22 lead changes and 45 ties.
• Behind the kill leaders Dishman and Martin, Kamble Frenette and Aliyah Thompson stepped up for Montevallo and added nine kills apiece.
• Sav Roys totaled a team-high 15 digs to go along with a team-leading 26 assists. Roys also registered a team-high three service aces.

 
 Up Next: The Falcons will return to Trustmark Arena on Saturday, Oct. 8 to take on Christian Brothers at 2 p.m. At Saturday's match, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, there will be a silent auction. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.
 
Stay up to date with Montevallo volleyball online at montevallofalcons.com and on social media @MontevalloVB.