CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team battled through five sets Friday, Nov. 6, but ultimately fell 3-2 to Lee University at Paul Dana Walker Arena in the Tigers' final road weekend of the regular season.

West Alabama opened the match with a hard-fought 29-27 victory before Lee responded with back-to-back set wins, 25-21 and 28-26. The Tigers answered with a 25-19 fourth-set victory to force a decisive fifth set, but the Flames secured the match with a 15-13 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening set featured a back-and-forth battle as both teams traded points early. West Alabama began to find its rhythm behind the offensive efforts of Klára Bobánová and Katerina Korre, building an 18-13 advantage. Lee responded with a late rally to even the score at 23 before the teams exchanged several set points. Bobánová delivered the final kill to secure a 29-27 opening-set victory for the Tigers.

West Alabama carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead behind strong serving and offensive contributions from Ola Winiarek. However, Lee gradually worked its way back into the contest, tying the set at 12 before taking control down the stretch. The Flames closed out the set 25-21 to even the match at one set apiece.

The third set proved to be another closely contested battle, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead. West Alabama fought back from a late deficit and reached set point at 24-22 following a kill from Duru Seber. Lee responded with consecutive points to extend the set, eventually claiming a 28-26 victory and taking a 2-1 match advantage.

Facing elimination, the Tigers responded in the fourth set with one of their strongest stretches of the night. Trailing 12-10, West Alabama scored 11 consecutive points behind the serving of Rachele Zanini to build a 21-12 advantage. Zanini recorded four service aces during the run, while the Tigers capitalized on offensive opportunities to regain control. Despite a late push from Lee, West Alabama held on for a 25-19 victory to force a fifth set.

The deciding set remained competitive from the opening serve. West Alabama held an 8-4 advantage following consecutive blocks, but Lee answered with a run to move ahead 11-10. The Tigers continued to battle, tying the score at 13 following a kill from Korre. However, Lee claimed the final two points to secure the 15-13 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

Bobánová led West Alabama offensively with 17 kills, while Korre followed with 12 kills and Winiarek added 11. Seber contributed 10 kills, and Jazlyn Snow finished with eight.

Zanini directed the Tigers' offense with 56 assists and added six service aces. Charlotte Kerscher contributed 21 digs, while Bobánová recorded 10 digs.

West Alabama finished the match with 59 kills, 56 assists, nine service aces and 71 digs.

For Lee, Jordyn Butler led the offense with 14 kills, while Olivia Reevey and Payton Danley each contributed 12. The Flames recorded 17 team blocks in the victory.

UP NEXT

West Alabama will close out the 2026 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 7, with a road matchup against Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.