|
Bounces back after losing first set
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of West Florida volleyball team dropped the first set but dominated the final three frames on Tuesday night, downing the University of Montevallo, 3-1, at BankTrust Arena. The victory is the 12th for UWF (7-4) in their last 13 matches against the Falcons. A pair of seniors paced the UWF attack with career nights. Katie Johnson racked up a career-high 19 kills, while reigning GSC East Offensive Player of the Week Kara Gonzalez notched career-bests with 16 kills and nine digs. Both players were responsible for just one attack error. UWF ended the night victorious, but it was Montevallo (7-5, 3-0 Peach Belt Conference) that won the first set, 25-23. The Falcons seized control of the set by winning eight of the match’s first ten points, including a pair of kills from Manyi Ati. Ati finished the set with five kills and three blocks. The Argonauts took control of the 2nd set by mounting an early 5-0 run on Chelsea Wilhoite’s serve, then put the frame away on another 4-0 run during the senior’s serve. The set was punctuated by a kill from Gonzalez, giving the Argos a 25-19 win. The road side broke the deadlock by taking the 3rd game by a 25-21 count. UWF won the final four points of the frame on two attack errors by Montevallo’s Rebecca Dowd and two service aces by Gonzalez. The Argos hit .350 in the game, with Gonzalez tallying four kills and Johnson blasting three. Now leading two sets to one, UWF hammered home the victory with an early 7-0 run that gave them an 11-5 lead. The Argonauts would never again lead by fewer than five points. Fittingly, the match ended on back-to-back kills from Gonzalez, who hit a career-best .625 during the match. Tricia Tirabassi led the Argos with 34 assists while tallying 12 digs, tied with Johnson and Anna Stoecklein for the team lead. Ati had 15 kills to pace the Falcons, while Dowd and Brittany Wilson racked up 16 digs each. The Argonauts now turn their attention to their Gulf South Conference opener, against Valdosta State. The Blazers invade Pensacola on Friday, with the match scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. |