VALDOSTA, Ga. – The University of Montevallo volleyball team bounced back after dropping the opening set to earn a 3-1 Gulf South Conference road victory over Valdosta State on Friday night at The Complex.
The Falcons improved to 12-6 overall and 5-3 in GSC play with the 17-25, 25-17, 32-30, 25-21 victory, while Valdosta State moved to 11-9 overall and 5-3 in conference action.
Valdosta State took control of the opening frame after an early 2-2 tie. The Blazers used an 8-2 stretch to build a 10-4 advantage before extending the margin to 18-9. Montevallo cut the deficit to six late in the frame, but VSU held on for the 25-17 win.
Montevallo answered immediately in the second set. After Valdosta State pulled even at 5-5, the Falcons rattled off seven straight points behind a pair of service aces from
Eliza Tyrrell, kills from
Mallory Hulsey and a pair of blocks to take a 12-5 lead. VSU cut the margin to three at 14-11, but Montevallo maintained control down the stretch. A kill from
Ellise Hanson gave the Falcons set point before a Valdosta State attack error finished the 25-17 set victory and evened the match at one set apiece. Montevallo hit .289 with 15 kills and just two errors in the frame.
The third set developed into the match's longest and most competitive frame. Valdosta State led 19-15 before Montevallo began working its way back. The Falcons eventually erased a 24-22 deficit, tying the score at 24-24 on a
Lilly Singletonblock. Neither side could create separation from there, with the teams trading points through 30-30. Singleton then gave Montevallo a 31-30 advantage with another block before a Valdosta State attack error sealed the marathon set, 32-30, and put the Falcons ahead 2-1.
The fourth set featured nine ties as the teams remained locked at 15-15 midway through the frame. Montevallo responded with three consecutive points, to grab an 18-15 advantage.
Valdosta State trimmed the deficit to one before the Falcons pushed the lead to 21-17. VSU made one final push to pull within two at 23-21, but Singleton delivered a kill to set up match point before Tyrrell closed the night with the final kill for a 25-21 victory.
GAME INFORMATION
Final: Montevallo 3, Valdosta State 1
Set Scores: 17-25, 25-17, 32-30, 25-21
Records: Montevallo 12-6 (5-3 GSC) | Valdosta State 11-9 (5-3 GSC)
Location: The Complex | Valdosta, Ga.
GAME NOTES
- Montevallo finished with 63 kills compared to 52 for Valdosta State and outhit the Blazers .162 to .139.
- Eliza Tyrrell led the Falcons with 15 kills, while adding 10 digs and two service aces.
- Katie Wilkerson totaled 14 kills, while Mallory Hulsey added 13 kills.
- Lilly Singleton turned in an efficient night with eight kills on 17 attempts and just one error for a .412 hitting percentage. Singleton also totaled four blocks, including two solo blocks.
- Blakeley Robbins led Montevallo with 32 assists, while Lily Erdal added 23 assists.
- Ava Wind paced the Falcon defense with a match-high 37 digs, while Ellie Scharlow collected 28.
- Montevallo totaled 109 digs, while Valdosta State had 108.
- The Blazers held an 11-8 advantage in total blocks.
- The Falcons recorded 21 kills in the third set and 18 in the fourth after totaling nine kills and nine errors in the opening frame.
UP NEXT: Montevallo concludes its GSC road weekend on Saturday, Oct. 10, against Auburn University at Montgomery. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the AUM Athletics Complex in Montgomery, Alabama.
