Montgomery, Ala. - The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks volleyball team (2-5) battled the Miles College Golden Bears (3-0) in its first home match of the season Tuesday evening at the AUM Athletics Complex, ultimately falling 3-2 in a five-set thriller.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
AUM and Miles battled through a competitive opening set, with the Warhawks holding a 10-9 advantage midway through the frame. The Golden Bears answered with a 4-0 run to take a 13-10 lead, but AUM responded with kills from Mya Lacey, Gabriella Wokatsch and Jamya Powell to pull within one at 13-12.
The Golden Bears used a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 20-15 before AUM answered and cut the deficit to 20-18. Miles would score the final five points of the set, however, taking the opening frame 25-18.
Second Set
The Warhawks responded in the second set, battling Miles through a 13-13 tie. AUM then used a 5-1 run to take an 18-14 advantage, with kills from Powell and a service ace from Chelsea Daffin helping the Warhawks create separation.
Miles cut the deficit to two at 18-16, but AUM answered by scoring four of the next six points to take a 23-17 lead. The Golden Bears added one more point, but the Warhawks closed out the set 25-18 on a kill from Wokatsch to even the match at one set apiece.
Third Set
Miles jumped out to a 4-0 lead to open the third set, but AUM quickly settled in and answered with a 7-1 run to take a 7-5 advantage. The Warhawks continued to build momentum, using back-to-back kills from Powell and another kill from Addison Vinson to extend their lead to 10-9.
The Golden Bears responded to even the set at 11-11, and the teams continued to trade points throughout the middle of the frame. After Miles took a 14-13 lead, AUM answered with three straight points, including a kill from Wokatsch and a block from Lacey and Jori Taylor, to take a 16-14 advantage.
Miles again fought back to tie the set at 16-16, but the Warhawks scored four of the next five points to take a 20-18 lead. The Golden Bears pulled within one at 21-20, but AUM closed the set by scoring the final five points, including an ace from Ellie Jaubert on set point, to take the third frame 25-21 and move ahead 2-1 in the match.
Fourth Set
Miles took an early 3-0 lead in the fourth set before AUM responded with back-to-back points to cut the deficit to one. The Golden Bears maintained a narrow advantage through the opening stretch, but the Warhawks stayed within striking distance, trailing 10-9 after an ace and a kill from Kinsley Kennedy.
Miles then created separation with a 7-0 run to take a 16-9 lead. AUM answered with a pair of points, including a kill from Lacey, but the Golden Bears continued to control the set and extended their advantage to 21-10.
The Warhawks continued to battle, scoring five of the next seven points to cut the deficit to 23-15. AUM added three more points late, including kills from Chelsea Daffin and Wokatsch, but Miles closed out the set 25-18 to force a deciding fifth set.
Fifth Set
The deciding set was a back-and-forth battle from the opening serve, with neither team able to pull away. AUM held an early 2-1 advantage before Miles answered to take a 5-4 lead.
AUM battled back to even the set at 7-7, and the Warhawks took control, scoring twice to take a 9-7 lead. The Golden Bears answered with a 4-1 stretch to regain a 12-11 advantage before the Warhawks tied the set at 12-12.
AUM took a 13-12 lead following a kill from Jaslyn Montgomery, but Miles answered with three straight points to close out the deciding set 15-13 and take the five-set match.
Notables
- Gabriella Wokatsch led the Warhawks with 16 kills, adding eight digs and two service aces.
- Jamya Powell recorded 13 kills while hitting .409 and added 1.5 total blocks.
- Chelsea Daffin totaled nine kills, three service aces and 21 digs.
- Addison Vinson recorded 26 assists and three service aces for the Warhawks.
- Jaslyn Montgomery added nine kills while hitting .450 and recorded 3.5 total blocks.
- AUM recorded 58 kills compared to 56 for Miles and finished with 10 service aces to the Golden Bears' seven
- The Warhawks held an advantage in total blocks, 7.0-6.0.
Up Next
The Warhawks will return to action Friday, Sept. 11, hosting the Warhawk Invitational at the AUM Athletics Complex. AUM will play Middle Georgia State at 1:30 p.m. before facing Albany State at 6:30 p.m. The Warhawk Invitational will run Sept. 11-12.
#WeAreAUM
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
