LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team battled toe-to-toe with the visiting University of Montevallo on Tuesday night but eventually fell in a heartbreaker 3-2. The Tigers fall to 9-19 with the loss and UM improves to 17-10.

Reining Gulf South Conference East Division Players of the Week Thais Hollerbach and Alexis McHale once again had stellar nights for the Tigers. Hollerbach led the team offensively – 19 kills – and defensively – 21 digs – for her 13th double-double of the season, while McHale broke the 50-assist mark for the second time this season with 52 helpers.

The first set began with all of the momentum on the side of the Falcons as they built up an early seven-point advantage to lead 9-2, but the hosts gradually chipped away as the frame progressed – much as they had done on the road at West Florida Monday night – and eventually pulled to within one at 21-20. Montevallo responded however by outscoring UWA 4-1 to win 25-22.

Beginning with much tighter play than the opener, the second set was close until the Tigers pushed out to a 15-10 advantage and the Red and White maintained that margin with the score 20-15. UM responded with a 14-4 run to deadlock the set at 24-24, and the teams exchanged points to remain tied at 25-25 before the Tigers scored two straight points to win 27-25 and even the match at one set apiece.

Montevallo controlled play for much of the third frame and relatively coasted to a 25-16 victory to take 2-1 lead into the fourth frame. The Tigers never trailed in the fourth frame, winning by a 25-21 score to force the deciding set.

West Alabama never led in the frame, but the hosts hung close, never trailing by more than two points. Showing a tough resiliency, the Tigers fended off two match points at 14-13 and 15-14, but ultimately fell 17-15 to give Montevallo the 3-2 match victory.

The Falcons were led on the night by impressive freshman Manyi Ati who turned in a match-high 20 kills while hitting at a stellar .462 clip. Anna Garrison gave the victors 57 assists, and Brittany Wilson compiled 19 digs.

Joining Hollerbach in double-figure kills for the home side were Jennifer Campbell who finished with 12 successful attacks and Olivia Drew who turned in 10.

Defensively, Casey Byrnes followed Hollerbach with 20 digs, and Drew notched a double-double by scooping out 18 balls. 

The Tigers will return to action in a week as they will host UAH on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Live stats and a video broadcast will be available at www.uwaathletics.com.