FRIDAY MATCH AT MONTEVALLO: Live Stats | Live Video
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – UWF wasn't going to be denied. Not on this night where the Argonauts fell behind 2-1 on the road in front of a frenzied Auburn Montgomery crowd at the AUM Gymnasium Thursday night.
Trailing 7-6 in the fourth set, UWF went on a 5-0 run to regain the momentum just as the AUM crowd was starting to feel the upset bid. Later in the set when the Warhawks had closed to within two, it was a 7-1 stretch to create more distance for a 25-19 decision to force the fifth set.
In the fifth set, the Argos trailed 7-4, 11-9 and were facing an AUM match point at 14-13. They needed something big. What they got was three big swings from
Jordyn Poppen to complete the comeback and take the fifth 16-14.
It was the third time in six Gulf South Conference matches that the Argos had come back from a 2-1 hole to win. They also improved to 4-1 in 5-setters.
Poppen finished with 21 kills – one shy of her season high – which included six in the final set alone, while adding a career-high 18 digs.
Veresia Yon had 18 kills, three aces and two blocks to match Poppen's 22 points scored.
UWF (13-5, 6-0) hit just .199 but dug 80 balls to help hold AUM to a .212 mark. The Argos also recorded a season-high 10 aces, with
Ashton Marshall dropping four into the Warhawks court.
UWF came out in the first set and cruised to a 25-17 win aided by 10 AUM attack errors. AUM cleaned that aspect up with 12 in the remainder of the match and earned a 25-21 win in the second before a lopsided 25-16 decision in the third.
AUM (9-7, 3-4) was led by Sommer Rhea's 23 kills and 20 digs. The Warhawks finished with 96 digs.
UWF will continue its road swing through Alabama with a contest at Montevallo (10-7, 4-1) on Friday night. First serve is set for 6 p.m. at Trustmark Arena.
