LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of Montevallo volleyball team battled through four competitive sets Sunday afternoon but came up short against West Alabama, falling 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25) in Gulf South Conference action at Pruitt Hall. The Falcons (18-9, 10-6 GSC) recorded 60 kills and a .220 hitting percentage but could not overcome the Tigers (25-5, 12-4 GSC), who claimed three sets by just two points.

Montevallo opened the match with an early 5-2 advantage behind kills from Ellise Hanson and Katie Wilkerson. West Alabama responded with a run to take control of the opening set, eventually building an 18-11 lead. The Falcons continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 21-17 before facing set point at 24-18. Blakeley Robbins sparked a late rally with a service ace, while Ellie Scharlow and Wilkerson added kills to bring Montevallo within one at 24-23. However, West Alabama's Katerina Korre delivered the final kill to secure the 25-23 opening-set victory. Montevallo finished the set with 18 kills and a .317 hitting percentage.

The Falcons responded in the second set, overcoming an early 4-1 deficit with a 6-1 run to take a 7-5 lead. Montevallo and West Alabama traded points throughout the middle of the set, with neither team able to establish a commanding advantage. Tied at 20-20, the Falcons regained momentum behind a block from Mallory Hulsey and Hanson, followed by a kill from Scharlow and a service ace from Robbins to take a 23-20 lead. Montevallo reached set point at 24-21 before Eliza Tyrrell and Hanson combined for a block to close out the 25-22 victory and even the match at one set apiece.

West Alabama jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set, but the Falcons answered with a strong response. Montevallo used a 6-1 run, highlighted by a service ace from Mae Mae Beatty and kills from Hulsey and Tyrrell, to take an 11-8 advantage. The two teams continued to exchange leads, with Wilkerson giving Montevallo a 16-15 advantage midway through the set. The Tigers responded to regain control and eventually reached set point at 24-21. Scharlow and Wilkerson delivered consecutive kills to bring the Falcons within one, but West Alabama closed the set with a kill from Duru Seber to take a 25-23 victory and a 2-1 match lead.

The Tigers carried their momentum into the fourth set, opening with six consecutive points before the Falcons began working their way back. Tyrrell provided a strong offensive presence for Montevallo, recording six kills in the final frame. Trailing 16-10, the Falcons used a kill from Tyrrell, a service ace from Ava Wind and a block from Kate Wilkin to cut the deficit to 16-13. West Alabama extended its lead to 22-17, but Montevallo continued to fight, cutting the margin to 22-20 behind kills from Wilkerson and Scharlow. After the Tigers reached match point at 24-20, the Falcons scored three consecutive points, including a service ace from Scharlow and a block from Hanson and Tyrrell, to make it 24-23. West Alabama's Klára Bobánová recorded the final kill to secure the 25-23 set victory and the match.


GAME INFORMATION
Final Score: West Alabama 3, Montevallo 1
Set Scores: 23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25 (Montevallo first)
Records: Montevallo (18-9, 10-6 GSC) | West Alabama (25-5, 12-4 GSC)
Location: Pruitt Hall | Livingston, Ala.
Date: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026


GAME NOTES

• Eliza Tyrrell led Montevallo offensively with a team-high 16 kills on a .412 hitting percentage while adding six block assists.
• Ellie Scharlow recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 16 digs, hitting .367 while adding a service ace.
• Katie Wilkerson finished with 10 kills, while Ellise Hanson contributed eight kills and eight total blocks.
• Ava Wind anchored the Falcons' defense with a team-high 20 digs while adding six assists and a service ace.
• Blakeley Robbins led Montevallo with 25 assists, nine digs and two service aces.
• Lily Erdal added 20 assists, seven digs and a service ace.
• Montevallo finished with 60 kills, 53 assists, 70 digs, six service aces and 11 team blocks.
• The Falcons recorded a .220 hitting percentage while holding West Alabama to a .186 mark.
• Montevallo held a 60-52 advantage in kills and a 71-66 edge in digs.
• West Alabama was led by Katerina Korre and Klára Bobánová, who recorded 17 kills apiece.

UP NEXT

The Falcons return home for their final two regular-season matches at Central State Bank Arena. Montevallo will host Auburn Montgomery on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. for Community Day before welcoming Valdosta State on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. for Senior Day.

The two home contests will close out the regular season as the Falcons prepare for the Gulf South Conference Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 12-14.