FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team split in a double header to open the first day of the Francis Marion Invitational on Friday. The Tigers swept Mount Olive in three sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-17) in the first match, while Georgia College took match two in three sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-21).

West Alabama moves to 1-4 overall on the season. Georgia College improves to 2-2, while Mount Olive drops to 0-5.

"We came out red hot against Mount Olive, but we didn't execute against Georgia College," said UWA head coach Jordan Lay. "Tomorrow is another day. I'm confident in the girl's ability to rebound, adapt, and win."

UWA dominated its opening match, out-hitting the Trojans with a .282 attacking percentage to UMO's .024 percentage. Sarah Spaulding, Briana Sandifer and Shanna Witt all led the Tigers offense with eight kills each. Spaulding's eight kills came in just 12 attempts giving her a .667 attack percentage. Morgan Ray followed, hitting .538 with seven kills.

Kimberly Hernandez led the defense with 10 digs, while Spaulding, Sandifer and Jaime Lancellot each assisted with three blocks. Callie Murphy and Sam Burgess split time in support of the attack with a combined 31 assists.

The team's attack percentage fell to .171 in match two, while Georgia College led by hitting .269. Taylor Svehla led the Bobcats with 13 kills in 18 attempts. Yanesha Johnson stepped in to lead UWA with eight kills.

Hernandez added 13 digs in the second game, while Murphy made 19 assists. Svehla added to Georgia College's defense as well, assisting with four blocks.

UWA volleyball will continue in the tournament on Saturday, facing North Greenville at 8 a.m. and Francis Marion at 4 p.m.