PENSACOLA, Fla. – It will be Lee University vs the University of West Florida in the semifinal round of the Gulf South Conference Volleyball Championship being staged at the UWF Field House. The Lady Flames advanced by defeating the University of Montevallo, 3-1 (24-26, 25-23, 25-17, 25-21) on Friday afternoon. The Argonauts had already received a bye into the semifinal round.
The hotly contested contest featured 11 tie scores in the first set, eight in the third set, and 11 more in the fourth set. There were a total of 36 ties overall and 14 lead changes.
Coach Christa Fabre gave credit to senior leader Izzy Denton in the victory, saying she helped keep the ball alive for the hitters. Sophia Lippert led the group of four hitters with 14 kills and an attack percentage of .346. Sara Palumbo tallied 12 and had an attack mark of .333. Payton Danley added 10 and Jasmine Terry came off the bench and also chipped in with 10 slams.
All totaled, Lee had 57 kills to 44 for the Falcons. Esthefany Rabit had five aces and Palumbo collected three as the Lady Flames delivered 11 aces to only three for Montevallo. Rabit was a standout at the net with one solo block and five blocking assists.
Lee went to the deck for 56 big digs with Denton leading the way with 25. Palumbo came up with eight as the Lady Flames limited the Falcons to only 43 digs. Montevallo did control one part of the stats, coming away with 24 blocking assists, and Ellise
Hanson delivered seven of the blocks. Katie Wilkerson had 11 kills and Danielle Greene came away with 11 kills.
In the set department, Lee got 23 from Berra Soyler and 18 from Sydeny Sharp. The Lady Flames had 52 assists to 40 for the Falcons. Blakeley Robbins delivered 19 assists and Delaney Sisson had 16 in the loss.
The featured game between Lee and West Florida is scheduled to get underway on Saturday at 5 p.m. (EST). Trevecca, the other club that drew a double bye, will face the winner of the The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Christian Brothers University match which was scheduled later on Friday evening.
Coach Christa Fabre's thoughts:
"Our team had a slower start defensively and allowed Montevallo to hit .378. Izzy led the way in heart and pursuit, refusing to let the ball hit the floor on our side and that allowed our hitters to get in rhythm and score the ball. Proud of our girls for getting it done tonight. We will rest up and get ready for a rematch against West Florida tomorrow."
