MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team earned a split on the opening day of the Montevallo Coca-Cola Classic on Friday.  The Tigers fell to Lynn University 3-0, but rebounded to turn back Martin Methodist 3-1 to close out the day’s competition at the Student Activities Center on the UM campus.

The Tigers (21-2) dropped the opening match to LU 30-25, 30-19 and 30-22.  The sweep suffered by the Red and White was the first of the season.  The other blemish on the slate was a 3-1 setback to West Florida a week ago on the home floor.  Senior Rafaella Maranhao led the UWA charge with 13 kills and 11 digs in the opener.  Sophomore setter Giuliana De Francesco also recorded a double-double with 31 assists and 14 digs.  Teresa Clements turned in eight kills in the affair while junior Allison Nail added seven kills and 14 digs.

In the night cap, the Tigers came back from dropping the opening game to the Redhawks 30-19.  UWA claimed the next three games 30-23, 30-24 and 30-22.  Sophomore Jessica Crook tallied a new career-high with 16 kills.  Nail carded 13 kills to finish the opening day with back-to-back double digit kill performances.  Clements turned in seven kills in the second match. 

UWA will close out the UM-hosted event with matches against Armstrong Atlantic at Noon followed by a tilt with former Gulf South Conference foe Lincoln Memorial at 2 p.m.