MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Auburn Montgomery volleyball team picked up a hard fought victory over Gulf South Conference opponent Mississippi College on Friday evening at the AUM Gymnasium, defeating the Choctaws 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-19) to snap an 11-match losing skid overall and win their first league contest of the season.
 
NOTES
• AUM improves to 10-18 overall and 1-12 in league play.
• MC falls to 7-22 on the season with a 1-12 mark in the GSC.
• The Warhawks are now 1-2 lifetime against the Choctaws.
• The win is the first for AUM since a 3-0 victory over Albany State on Sept. 25.
• The two teams split the season series, with MC having earned a 3-0 victory on Sept. 15.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
• Senior middle blocker Brianna Garvin led the Warhawks in kills with a season-high 16 against MC. Garvin also matched her career-high in blocks with eight (two solo).
• Senior setter Carly Smart tallied 33 assists and 10 digs, while directing the AUM offense to a .245 attack percentage.
• Freshman outside hitter Nyah Whittlesey tallied six kills, 12 digs and a career-high five blocks for the Orange & Black.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The back and forth action started early in the first set when the two teams battled to an 11-11 tie. AUM was able to go on a 5-0 run from that point to go up 16-12 before MC was able to break serve. After the teams traded points the Orange & Black took a 19-15 lead on a Jaylyn Felder kill, but the Choctaws would respond with a 3-0 run. While clinging to a 21-20 lead, the Warhawks were able to finish the set on a 4-2 rally, winning the frame service ace by Skylar Coppinger.
• The second set saw the two teams battle once again to an 11-11 tie before AUM would be able to build a small lead of 19-15 before MC mounted a comeback. The Warhawks went up 22-19 before a pair of points by the Choctaws cut the deficit to 22-21. The teams traded points down the stretch with the Orange & Black getting to set point at 24-23. A kill by Jaylyn Felder secured the win for the Warhawks, giving them a 2-0 match lead.
• In the third set the Warhawks jumped out to a 15-8 lead, forcing MC to take its second timeout of the frame. Each team scored five points over the next 10 serves and AUM found themselves with a 20-13 advantage. After a pair of points by the Choctaws the Warhawks rallied for four straight points capped off by a Whittlesey kill before MC could force a side out with AUM sitting at match point. The Choctaws would not go down quietly, battling for four straight points before Alexandria Henry earned the final kill after a long rally to give AUM the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
• The match featured 20 ties scores and eight lead changes.
• AUM posted 9.0 blocks to just 2.0 for MC.
• The Warhawks tallied 41 kills while the Choctaws posted 35.
 
UP NEXT
The Warhawks will host senior day tomorrow at the AUM Gymnasium when they welcome GSC rival West Alabama for a match set to begin at 1 p.m. AUM seniors Brianna Garvin, Courtney Green, Carly Smart, Keara Scott and Haley Toler will be honored before the match for their contributions to the Warhawk volleyball program.
 
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.