LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team secured a four-set victory over Gulf South Conference opponent Montevallo on Sunday afternoon at Pruitt Hall, defeating the Falcons 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23).
The Tigers battled through a tightly contested matchup, using timely offensive production and a strong defensive effort at the net to hold off Montevallo. Freshman setter
Rachele Zanini highlighted the afternoon by surpassing 1,000 career assists, reaching the milestone during her first season with West Alabama.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Montevallo opened the first set with an early advantage, jumping ahead 5-2 before West Alabama began finding its rhythm offensively. Consecutive kills from Klára Bobánová helped the Tigers even the score, while
Katerina Korre and
Duru Seber contributed key points to establish a lead. UWA eventually built a 24-18 advantage, but the Falcons refused to go away, fighting off five set points to pull within one. Korre delivered the final kill to give West Alabama a 25-23 opening-set victory.
The second set featured several momentum shifts as both teams traded points throughout the contest. Montevallo gained separation midway through the set before the Tigers battled back to even the score at 20-20. The Falcons responded with three consecutive points and held off a late West Alabama push to take the set 25-22, tying the match at one set apiece.
West Alabama responded with an aggressive start to the third set, scoring the first five points behind Zanini's serving. Montevallo answered with a run of its own, eventually taking an 11-8 lead. The Tigers continued to battle, using strong blocking and timely kills to regain control late in the set. After building a 24-21 advantage, UWA watched the Falcons fight off two set points before Seber delivered the deciding kill to secure a 25-23 victory.
The Tigers carried their momentum into the fourth set, opening with six unanswered points behind Zanini's serve. Montevallo gradually chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the score at 20-20. West Alabama answered with consecutive points to regain the lead and reached match point at 24-20. The Falcons again refused to go quietly, scoring three straight points before Bobánová delivered the final kill to seal another 25-23 set victory and the match.
BY THE NUMBERS
Bobánová and Korre led the Tigers offensively with 17 kills apiece. Korre added five block assists and finished with a .262 hitting percentage, while
Jazlyn Snow contributed eight kills.
Seber provided a dominant presence at the net, finishing with two solo blocks and eight block assists. West Alabama recorded 14 total team blocks, helping limit Montevallo's offensive opportunities throughout the match.
Zanini directed the Tigers' offense with 45 assists, 14 digs and four service aces. Her performance pushed her past the 1,000-career-assist milestone, adding another accomplishment to her freshman campaign.
Charlotte Kerscher led West Alabama defensively with 21 digs, while
Ola Winiarek added nine.
For Montevallo, Eliza Tyrrell led the Falcons with 16 kills, followed by Ellie Scharlow with 13.
UP NEXT
West Alabama will return to Gulf South Conference action on Friday, Nov. 6, when the Tigers travel to Cleveland, Tennessee, to face Lee University. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Paul Dana Walker Arena.
