PULASKI, Tenn. – In one of the wilder finishes in recent team history, the Martin Methodist Volleyball team rallied from a set down to stun the University of Mobile (Ala.) in a 3-2 victory in the Curry Christian Life Center Monday night.
After they took the first set by a 25-17 margin, the RedHawks (4-17, 3-4 SSAC) dropped the next two sets in unconvincing fashion. Mobile took the second set, 25-12, and followed up with a 25-10 victory in the third to pull ahead, 2-1.
The RedHawks dug deep to rally for a 25-20 victory in the fourth set, however, and found themselves in a fifth and final set. The RedHawks jumped out to an early 7-3 lead in the final set and never looked back as they took a 15-7 score to claim their third conference victory of the season.
The win over the Rams (17-3, 6-2) marked the RedHawks first-ever victory over Mobile in Volleyball in 10 tries. The win also gave the RedHawks their first victory over a squad either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA's Top 25 for the first time since at least the 2011 season.
Ashlyn Lam-ho Anduha led the RedHawk attack with 13 kills on 28 chances for a .357 attacking percentage. As a team, the RedHawks combined for 41 kills on 112 total attacking chances – a .241 percentage as a unit.
The RedHawks combined for 55 digs as a team and were paced by libero Hayley Brisendine, who turned in 18 digs herself.
As a team, the RedHawks had just three service errors compared to seven for the Rams. The RedHawks also had eight blocks compared to just two for the Rams, who entered the match on a four-match win streak.
Hannah Buck led the Rams with 14 kills while Jessica Bagwell led the defense with 21 digs.
"This was such an exciting win for our girls and our program," RedHawks head coach Alison Williams said. "We have lost so many heartbreakers this season. The girls really dug deep to rally back and pick up this victory tonight. I am so proud of them and their determination. We hope to use this victory to springboard our ladies into the second half of our conference schedule."
The RedHawks return to action on Tuesday when they host another SSAC foe in Loyola (La.). The Wolf Pack (11-10, 3-4) suffered a four-set loss to Bethel (Tenn.) in their contest Monday night.
First serve in Tuesday's contest is set for 3:30 p.m. in the Curry Christian Life Center.
