VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks volleyball team (1-10, GSC: 0-3) concluded a three-match road stretch to open Gulf South Conference play on Tuesday night, falling to the Valdosta State University Blazers (4-9, GSC: 3-1) in straight sets inside The Complex. 
 
The Warhawks saw Kendall McCain lead all attackers with 10 kills and added seven digs, while Kiara Vega added 12 digs.
 
The Blazers were led by 15 digs and four aces by Ava Keuntjes and nine kills by Asia Montagnani. 


HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
AUM scored the first four points on kills by Taylor Lewis and McCain, an Anyaliz Rodriguez block and a Salome Dejesus De La Torres ace. 
 
The Blazers responded with five straight points to take the early 5-4 advantage. 
 
Trailing 19-17, an Emma Claire Long kill and a Blazer attack error pulled the Warhawks back to even. 
 
On the next point, Valdosta State used a Montagnani kill that sparked four straight points to lead 23-19 en route to a 25-22 set one victory. 
 
Set 2
Despite falling 7-3 early in the second frame, the Warhawks used a 6-1 run to take a 9-8 lead thanks in part to back-to-back aces by Carly Cooper. 
 
Unfortunately for AUM, Valdosta State found their rhythm with the next eight points to flip the score back to the Blazers, 16-10. 
 
VSU, leading 16-12, ended the set on a 9-4 run, as Macy Brown had two service aces during the rally. That gave the home team a 2-0 advantage. 
 
Set 3
Ahead 7-5, the Blazers used an 8-2 run to advance their lead to 15-7. 
 
Despite the Warhawks cutting the deficit down to as low as four, 21-17, after a VSU service error and attack error, it was all Blazers, as two kills by Montagnani and an Ava Young block secured the set and match. 
 
KENDALL KILLIN' IT
Senior outside hitter Kendall McCain reached an impressive milestone tonight, amassing a program record 763 career kills. After recording 663 kills over her first three seasons with the Warhawks, McCain has posted an even 100 so far this season, after tonight's 10 against Valdosta State.
 
Hailing from Clearwater, FL, McCain etches her name in the history books by surpassing alum Nyah Whittlesey's (2018-2021) career kills record of 759.

McCain is also on the hunt to take the career top spot in points, sets played, and matches played. She is also ranked third in career service aces.

While the season is still young, the senior looks to continue her efforts in strong attacks and her contributions to AUM's goals as a team



Up Next
After 10 of their first 11 matches away from home, the Warhawks will return to the AUM Athletics Complex for the second time this season to open a weekend home stand, starting with Christian Brothers at 6 p.m. on Thursday. 
 
#WeAreAUM
 
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.