Jason Hughes / UWA sports information

MONTEVALLO- The University of West Alabama volleyball team had a successful trip to the Montevallo Tournament on Friday by taking a pair of matches. The Tigers opened with a 3-1 win over Martin Methodist (15-30, 30-28, 30-26, 30-21) and then went on to take a three-game decision over GSC West foe Ouachita Baptist (30-20, 30-27, 30-28).

In the opener, UWA struggled as Martin Methodist hit .520, while the Tigers hit just .086. West Alabama would up its offensive output to .179 in game two and .327 and .300 in games three and four respectively. Senior Amanda Heaton led the charge, slamming a match-best 21 kills to go along with nine digs.

Rafaella Maranhao chipped in with 16 kills and 10 digs to go along with a team leading four service aces. Elizabeth Colley and Teresa Clements added 11 and 10 kills respectively in addition to picking up two blocks apiece. Melanie Moffett led the defensive charge with 20 digs, while freshman setter Morgan Graffigna dished out 52 assists.

In the Ouachita match, Maranhao and Heaton led the way, totaling 14 kills apiece. Heaton also added 19 digs, while Maranhao chipped in with 11. Clements added nine kills and a pair of block assists, and Moffett led UWA in both digs (23) and service aces (6). Graffigna contributed 44 assists, while sophomore Rachel Hardaway pitched in with seven kills.

West Alabama moves to 6-16 on the season and will be in action again on Friday when the Tigers travel to West Florida for a 7:00 p.m., match.