LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Senior Chanel Davis set a career high with 21 kills and a .447 hitting percentage Tuesday as the University of West Alabama volleyball team battled back for a 3-2 win against Montevallo at Pruitt Hall.
 
With the victory, UWA improves to 9-3 overall and has won four of its last five matches. The Tigers have also been victorious in both five-set matches they have played on the year.
 
“I had no idea I had 21 kills,” stated Davis. “That is a great stat, but I am happier with the win. Coach (Mike) Shearer gave us motivation and did a great job at keeping us focused throughout the five games, and I could not be happier to be a part of this team.”
 
Much like they did against North Alabama on Sunday, the Tigers came out sluggish in a first-set loss. After falling behind 5-4 in the early going, Montevallo never trailed again in the first set as the Falcons held on for the 25-19 win. 
 
“We joked a little before the match about how we have started a little slow,” said Shearer . “Once again we did that tonight and that was a huge challenge for us to do that in back-to-back matches.”
 
As is characteristic of this team, the Tigers responded in a big way going into the second game. It was there where UWA outscored the Falcons 9-1 to begin the set thanks to four kills in the first seven points by Davis. The Tigers then fought off a fierce Montevallo rally to hold on for the 24-18 second-set victory.
 
With the score tied at 1-1, the two teams split games three and four to move the match into a tie-breaker fifth set. The two squads battled back and forth with the set tied on three different occasions. Finally, with the tally at 7-7, UWA outscored Montevallo 8-3 down the stretch to hold on for the win.
 
Along with the 21-kill performance by Davis, freshman Morgan Ray hit .316 on the evening and registered 18 kills. Meanwhile, teammate Chelsea Payne totaled 50 assists, while Cynthia Smith had 19 digs to pace the Tigers.
 
West Alabama now hits the road for Gulf South Conference action as the squad heads to Shorter on Friday for a 6 p.m. match.