The Lee University volleyball team splashed into Gulf South Conference (GSC) play with a straight set victory over the University of West Alabama (25-19, 25-22, 25-23) Friday evening at Walker Arena.
Playing in their first GSC contest the Lady Flames set the tone early for the entire match leading throughout the first set en route to a 25-19 victory.
Balanced scoring anchored the Lee offensive attack. Paul Martins led the way with 10 kills and eight digs. Patty Orozco and newcomer Erin Hill followed with nine slams apiece.
Another newcomer, junior-transfer Latrice Johnson finished with 8 kills and 12 digs. Setting up the offensive was the setting of Camil Martinez who tallied 34 assists.
"I was glad the girls played hard tonight and didn't give up" said Lee coach Andrea Hudson. "This was a big win for us tonight over a very good West Alabama team."
After winning the second set 25-22 the Lady Flames appeared to put the match away jumping out to a 23-17 advantage in the third and final set before the Tigers rallied to tie the match at 23. Lee would put the game away with two consecutive kills courtesy of Lauren Williams and Martinez.
"I thought we showed a lot of toughness and kept fighting in the third set when they made a run" noted Hudson.
Libby Peigen anchored the defense with 14 digs while Williams chipped in five kills , four digs and two aces.
The victory moves the Lady Flames to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The loss drops the Tigers to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the GSC.
After a 13-day layoff between games the Lady Flames will be right back on the court tomorrow afternoon when they welcome No. 17 West Florida to Walker Arena. The match is slated for a 2 p.m. start.