WINTER PARK, FL- Behind 11 kills and 12 digs from senior Amanda Heaton, the UWA volleyball team defeated GSC foe Valdosta State 3-0 (30-17, 30-20, 30-20) to open Saturday play at the Rollins College Tournament. The Tigers would later fall in four games to the host team from Rollins (31-29, 15-30, 11-30, 26-30) to close play.

Rafaella Maranhao continued her strong play versus VSU, posting 10 kills, eight digs and three service aces. Senior Melanie Moffett also turned in 11 digs, while Rachel Hardaway turned in nine kills to go against zero hitting errors. Allison Nail rounded out UWA’s top performers with a team-best four service aces.

In the second match with Rollins, Heaton again led the way with 15 kills and 16 digs, while Maranhao also posted double figures in kills (10) and digs (14). Moffett added 20 digs, and freshman setter Morgan Graffigna dished out a team leading 32 assists.

West Alabama moves to 2-2 on the season. The Tigers will be in action again on Friday when they travel to the Southern Arkansas Tournament. Friday action will open with the Tigers facing Tarleton State in an 11:30 a.m., match before playing Arkansas-Monticello at 4:30 p.m.

UWA splits first two games of volleyball season

WINTER PARK, FL- The University of West Alabama volleyball team made a long trip to Rollins College, just outside of Orlando, Fla., to open the 2005 season on Friday. The Tigers opened with an impressive 3-0 win over Wisconsin-Parkside (30-15, 30-17, 30-19) before dropping a four-game decision to Edinboro (30-25, 27-30, 26-30, 18-30).

Junior Rafaella Maranhao turned in a huge performance in her first match as a Tiger. Maranhao slammed a team leading 18 kills to go along with 14 digs and three service aces. Freshman Morgan Graffigna dished out 37 assists, while Amanda Heaton posted eight kills and seven digs. Melanie Moffett added 10 digs and Teresa Clements posted five block assists for the UWA defense, while Allison Nail rounded out the top performers with four service aces.

In the second match of the day, West Alabama committed 18 service errors. Graffigna tallied 52 assists, while Maranhao continued to play well, totaling a team-high 20 kills to go along with 15 digs. Heaton added 14 kills and 15 digs and Elizabeth Colley contributed 10 kills and three blocks. Moffett rounded out the top performers with 27 digs.

The Tigers move to 1-1 on the season.