Atlanta Comes Up Short Against Madison Despite Third-Set Surge

By: Raymond Forte

LOVB Atlanta entered its matchup against LOVB Madison with momentum on its side, bringing a 7–5 record into the contest while continuing to establish itself as one of the stronger teams in the league. Madison, meanwhile, arrived in Atlanta at 3–9 and looking to turn things around after a challenging stretch that had placed the team near the bottom of the standings.

With Atlanta aiming to protect its home court at McCamish Pavilion, the matchup presented an opportunity for the home team to continue building consistency as the season progresses. Madison, however, came in searching for a breakthrough performance and an opportunity to gain ground in the standings against a team that had found more success this season.

Despite the difference in records, the match quickly proved to be competitive.

The opening set between LOVB Madison and LOVB Atlanta was tightly contested from the start, with both teams exchanging points early. The teams were tied several times in the opening stretch, including 1–1, 2–2, and 3–3 after a service error by Ivonee Montaño.

Madison began to find its rhythm offensively and built a small cushion, taking a 6–3 lead following a block by Dana Rettke Allick. Atlanta responded and tied the set at 13–13 midway through on a block from Julia Sangiacomo. The teams continued trading points with additional ties at 15–15, 17–17, and 18–18 before Madison made a late push.

Madison scored several key points down the stretch to take a 23–19 advantage and held off Atlanta’s late rally to close the set 25–22 on an attack by Maja Mitrović.

The second set again opened with both teams trading points early, with ties at 1–1, 2–2, 3–3, 4–4, and 5–5. Atlanta briefly took a narrow 6–5 lead following an attack by Julia Sangiacomo, but Madison responded with a strong run that shifted the momentum of the match.

An attack by Tia Jimerson helped Madison build a 13–9 lead, and Madison continued to extend the advantage with strong play at the net. A block by Lauren Carlini pushed Madison ahead 17–11 as Atlanta struggled to slow the scoring run. Madison maintained control late in the set and closed it out 25–17 after a setting error by Piyanut Pannoy, taking a 2–0 lead in the match.

Atlanta responded in the third set with renewed energy, jumping out to a 6–3 lead following an attack by Lauren Carlini. Madison briefly tied the set at 7–7 after a setting error by Magdaléna Jehlarová, but Atlanta quickly regained control.

A service run by Carly DeHoog helped Atlanta extend the lead to 11–7 as the team began to find its offensive rhythm. Atlanta continued to build momentum, pushing the lead to 21–15 after an attack by Jehlarová. Julia Sangiacomo closed the set with a kill as Atlanta secured the 25–18 victory to extend the match.

Madison regained control early in the fourth set, taking a 6–2 lead before extending the advantage to 8–3 following a block by Laura Schwarzenbach. Atlanta worked to close the gap behind the offensive efforts of Ivonee Montaño, whose attacks helped cut the deficit to 15–9 and later 16–13.

Atlanta continued to battle and eventually pulled within one, but Madison responded with timely points to regain control. Attacks from Schwarzenbach and Thomas-Ailara helped push the lead to 19–16. A service error by Annie Chaussee brought Atlanta within two at 20–18, but Madison steadied itself late.

A pair of Atlanta errors widened the gap before Mitrović delivered the final attack of the match, securing the fourth set 25–19 and sealing the four-set victory for Madison.