Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The University of West Alabama volleyball team captured their first victory of the 2024 season with a hard-fought 3-1 win against Stillman College on Thursday, September 19.

The Tigers rallied after dropping the first set to dominate the next three and come away with a much-needed victory.

"Tonight was a night of growth," said head coach John Schmidt. "We learned a lot about ourselves on the court tonight. Early on, we played a little reckless, but it finally clicked and we started to be more composed on the court, which leads to playing a smarter game."

After a sluggish start that saw UWA drop the first set 25-17, the Tigers bounced back in set two with a more efficient offensive effort, securing a 25-22 win. The momentum was carried into sets three and four, where UWA maintained control to win 25-21 and 25-16, closing the match.

The Tigers posted a hitting percentage of .167, compared to Stillman's .075, demonstrating their superior offensive execution after the first set. Both teams showcased aggressive serving, with UWA racking 12 service aces to Stillman's 8. Despite struggling with 23 service errors throughout the match, UWA's ability to capitalize on Stillman's mistakes proved critical to their success.

Key players for the Tigers included Jaida Alvin, who led the team with 12 kills and contributed two service aces. Peyton Quesnel added eight kills, while KB Kinney posted seven kills and a block. Setter Taylor Lamontagne provided solid distribution with 14 assists and four service aces.

"It was a true total team effort in the win as players stepped up to lead, keeping the team composed as the match continued into the final two sets," coach Schidmt continued. "We still have a lot to learn, but tonight was a positive step forward in our growth."

The Tigers (1-8) will build on their first win as they face Montevallo in their first Gulf South Conference matchup. UWA will take on Montevallo on Tuesday, September 24th, at 6:00 p.m. in Montevallo, Alabama