MONTGOMERY, Ala. – For the first time in program history, the Auburn University at Montgomery volleyball team will be a participant at the Gulf South Conference Volleyball Championships and will head to Pensacola, Fla., to take on Valdosta State.

GSC VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HOMEPAGE
 
Match Information: #7 Valdosta State
Date:  Friday, Nov. 22 2019
Time:  1:30 p.m.
Location: Pensacola, Fla. | UWF Field House  
Media Coverage | Live Video | Live Stats
 
Match Information: #3 West Georgia (If Necessary)       
Date:  Friday, Nov. 22 2019
Time:  6:30 p.m.
Location: Pensacola, Fla. | UWF Field House 
Media Coverage:  Live Video | Live Stats
 
About the Warhawks
The Warhawks, after just three years of existence, will make their playoff debut on Friday night against the Lady Blazers. AUM has had a historic regular season thanks in large part to the efforts of head coach Flavia Siqueira.
 
Isadora Nicolai has been a top-3 setter in the entire Gulf South Conference all season long. The sophomore has amassed over 1,000 assists this season which leads her team. The Belo Horizonte, Brazil native has broken countless records in her first year at AUM.   
Nicolai's 1,001 assists this season is third in the conference, just nine shy of a tie for first place. However, her 9.74 assists/set is second in the GSC, trailing only West Georgia's Madi Flemming.

In addition, Nicolai has netted 44 service aces, which is third in the GSC ranks, her 0.39 aces/set is also third in the conference.
 
The Warhawks are one of the best defensive teams in the GSC thanks to the efforts of newcomer Carla Butler. The libero has tallied a team-leading 506 digs but has also recorded 35 service aces on the year, trailing only Nicolai's 44 for tops on the team.   
 
Senior outside hitter Sommer Rhea was named to the GSC All-Second Team earlier this week after her outstanding regular season wearing the Orange & Black. The Oregon, Ill., native tallied a team-high 333 kills in 2019, which has helped her become the program's all-time kills leader.

Freshman Giada Pais-Marden will look to continue her outstanding initial season at AUM. Pais-Marden's 251 kills is second on the roster but her offensive excellence does not stop with kills. The Italy native has also been a force serving this season, netting 18 service aces.

The Warhawks took both meetings with the Lady Blazers this season. Their first meeting was held in Valdosta, Ga., a 3-2 victory for the Warhawks in a five-set thriller. The second and final meeting of the year came on Nov. 5 at the AUM Gymnasium. The Orange & Black took care of business in that matchup, besting the Lady Blazers 3-1.



 
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