MONTEVALLO – University of Montevallo senior Kaleigh Harvey recorded her 1,000th career dig as the Falcons edged Columbus State University 3-2 in their Peach Belt Conference home opener Sept. 17 at Trustmark Arena.

The Falcons secured the first two sets, 25-17 and 25-23, before dropping the next two sets, 27-25 and 25-22. Montevallo rallied for a 15-10 win in the final set.

Harvey recorded a team-high 22 digs in the win, with her 1,000th career dig coming in the third set.

Senior Manyi Ati led the Falcons (6-2 overall, 2-1 in Peach Belt Conference) with 14 kills in the victory. Ati also posted her fourth double-double of the season as she added 10 digs.

Junior Katie Best and sophomore Rebekah Phelps contributed nine digs each. Sophomore Anna Quinn chipped in eight digs in the win.

Sophomore Briana Marquez contributed 13 digs to go along with her match-high 44 assists.

The Falcons took the first set 25-17 behind a strong effort by Ati, who recorded three kills in the set.

Ati and Phelps contributed five kills and four kills, respectively, in the second set to help Montevallo win the frame 25-23.

The Cougars battled back to take the third set, 27-25, and the fourth set, 25-22, behind a strong performance by Katie Poole and Erika Gelzintye. Poole led the Cougars with a match-high 20 kills, while Gelzintye added 19 kills.

The Falcons responded with a 15-10 win in the final set, with Best slamming home a kill to secure the victory.

Montevallo players honored the faculty or staff member who has had the biggest impact on their careers before the match as part of Faculty and Staff Appreciation night at Trustmark Arena.

Montevallo will return to action Sept. 20 with a non-conference match against Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C.