JACKSON, Tenn. - The University of West Alabama volleyball team rallied from a first-set loss to defeat Lane College in non-conference action, 3-1, Thursday evening from J.F. Lane Gymnasium.  

UWA sees its record improve to 2-8, while the Dragons fall to 2-10.

It was a good win for us! Lane was a very scrappy team that never let up. They are well-coached and they exposed some of our weaknesses early on before we made great adjustments to take the match," said head coach John Schmidt. "Lane's stubborn play taught us to be on our toes at all times and be relentless on defense. We made positive changes quickly, which is something you often see in mature teams."

Lane got out from the opening serve and won eight of the first nine points before West Alabama got back into the set. With the Dragons earning set point with a 24-21 lead, the Tigers made things interesting thanks to a Quiara Dunson kill and a service ace by Jaida Alvin. However, the rally would be short lived, as the home team saw a kill from Maia Thompson to take the first set, 25-23.

The second set went in favor of the visitors. Leading 15-12, UWA went on a 9-2 run to make it 24-14. With the Dragons on a rally by winning the next three points, the Tigers clinched the match thanks to a bad set by Anayah Goss.  

With the match now even at a set apiece, the Tigers went off with 10 kills on 32 swings with four errors and limiting the opposition to a -.111 swing percentage (4-7-27) to roll to a 25-13 set victory.  

In the fourth set, tied at 18, UWA took advantage of Lane's mistakes late. After a Johanna Martin kill to earn the side-out, Lane committed three set errors and two attack errors to get the set to match points, 24-18.  

Following a service error by the Tigers, Mya Carter came through with the final kill to take the match in four sets.  

Schmidt added, "It's a positive sign for us. We still have a lot of growing to do, much of it related to having a youthful team and having to overcome preseason obstacles, but a match like tonight's helps us grow and allows us to see what we are capable of doing as a team. Lane wasn't going to lay down for us, we had to learn how to step it up when challenged. I believe we answered the call! I'm very proud of the team; the entire team!"

After the Dragons had 10 kills and three attack errors in the first set, the Tigers allowed 13 kills and 20 errors in the final three set, posting a hitting percentage of -.094. 

Chyna Dixon led all attackers with 11 kills, while Mya Carter ended the night with six kills and not committing an error on 13 swings.

Amelia Johnigan added three aces, while Quiara Dunson tallied 11 digs.  

Kelviona Johnson led the Dragons with 12 digs and seven kills.  

UWA will have the weekend off before starting Gulf South Conference (GSC) play on Tuesday night. For the first time this season, the volleyball program will play inside the friendly confines of Pruitt Hall. UWA's first oppoent in league play will be No. 17 West Florida. First serve is set for 6 p.m.