In a season that has been bumpy to say the least, the Lady Chargers reached back to find the spark that earned them back to back trips to the NCAA playoffs the last two years. The Lady Chargers capped off what has been their most successful week of the season thus far with a 2-1 performance in the Central Missouri State Jennies Volleyball Invitational. The weekend included an upset over the host Jennies, then ranked 17th in the nation and a record-breaking outing by junior setter Jane Baumgartner.

UAH entered the tournament riding momentum from a big GSC win at the Mississippi University for Women earlier in the week. They would be tested right off the bat in a showdown against CMSU. In addition to the No. 17 ranking, the Jennies were the top team in the South Central Region with a 17-2 record and an unblemished record on its home floor. All odds were against the ladies in blue. However, the Lady Chargers pulled out its best performance of the season in a huge upset.

The Lady Chargers rolled out and took the first two games 15-11 and 15-11. Then, Central Missouri State fought back to take the next two games 15-8, 15-11, forcing a fifth game. In a game reminiscent of last season's thriller at Spragins Hall against North Alabama, the Lady Chargers outlasted the Jennies 16-14 to win the match.

Ellen LaFiore came four kills short of setting a UAH single match record, finishing with 31. Jane Baumgartner did set a new school mark by dishing out 76 assists. It eclipsed the old record of 73 assists set by Lisa Spencer in 1997. Erin Denny had a career-high 22 kills, while Melissa Feldman finished with 14 kills and 11 digs.

The Lady Chargers road the wave right over Drury College, taking a 3-1 win. UAH would have to rebound from a match opening 15-13 loss in the first game. But, the Lady Chargers swept the next three games 15-13, 15-4, and 15-12.

LaFiore led the way again with 17 kills, 12 digs, eight blocks and three aces. Feldman tallied 13 kills and 14 digs, while Cathryn Sterling knocked out 10 kills and 17 digs. Baumgartner had 10 digs to go with her 44 assists.

In the final match of the tournament for UAH, Florida Southern snapped the Lady Chargers' 3-match winning streak with a 15-8, 15-6, 15-6 sweep. The Moccasins held attack leader LaFiore to 11 kills. Baumgartner had 30 assists and Denny 11 digs.

After a 3-1 week, the Lady Chargers are even at 9-9 overall and 3-3 in the Gulf South Conference. UAH and Montevallo meet in an important GSC match on Tuesday night at Spragins Hall. The Lady Falcons knocked off UAH earlier this season.

Next Game: vs. Montevallo, October 10, 7:00 PM, Spragins Hall