By Sarah Turner, Sports editor 

A full calendar year has come and gone for Falcon athletics, but before we get too far into 2026, let’s take a walk down memory lane. From statement performances to unforgettable finishes, 2025 was filled with moments that proved UM athletes could more than rise to the occasion. Here’s a look back at the biggest upset wins over nationally ranked opponents that defined last year and left their mark on Falcon history.  

5. Volleyball vs. No. 17 West Florida 

The Falcons earned their first win over the Argonauts since 2003 with a dominant four-set victory back in November. In the process, the women snapped a 30-match losing streak against UWF, the defending Gulf South Conference champions, handing the Argonauts just their second conference loss of the season. 

Montevallo set the tone early with 17 kills in the opening set to jump out to a 1-0 lead. The Falcons were efficient all night, hitting .268 for the match and an eye-popping .361 in the third set. Middle blocker Dani Greene led the way with 12 kills and six blocks, while Maggie McColley added six blocks of her own. Setter Blakely Robbins anchored the offense with 24 assists in the victory. 

4. Men’s Lacrosse vs. No. 9 Indianapolis 

The Falcons stunned the Greyhounds, 13-12, in March of 2025, earning just the second win over a ranked opponent in program history and their first-ever victory over UIndy. A perennial national power, UIndy had defeated Montevallo five straight times dating back to 2019, making the breakthrough win even more significant.  

Trailing 9-5 at the half, Montevallo mounted a furious second-half comeback led by attacker Caden Chalut, who delivered a perfect shooting performance. Chalut scored on all four of his shots on goal in the second half, capped off by the game-winning goal that sealed the Falcons’ historic victory. Attacker Matthew Boas also played a key role, finishing with three goals on six shots on goal to help fuel the comeback. 

3. Softball vs. No. 6 Auburn Montgomery 

In their second-to-last regular season game a year ago, the Falcons delivered one of the most improbable upsets in Montevallo history. With a statement road win over the Warhawks in April, the women secured the highest-ranked victory in program history, escaping with a thrilling 3-2 final. 

Trailing 2-0 entering the seventh inning, Montevallo mounted a late comeback. Molly Pendley ignited the rally with a clutch two-RBI double to even the score. In the bottom half of the inning, Rachel Whiddon, credited with the win, took control in the circle, retiring all three batters she faced. 

The Falcons broke through in the eighth. Madison Fargo sparked the go-ahead run with a single, advanced on a pair of sacrifice groundouts, and crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give Montevallo a 3-2 lead. Taylor Lloyd then closed the door in the bottom of the eighth, earning the save and sealing a historic victory for the Falcons. 

2. Men’s Basketball vs. No. 9 Valdosta State 

In a must-win regular season finale, the Falcons stunned the ninth-ranked team in the nation with a 101-92 road victory. The March win not only capped the regular season in emphatic fashion, but also locked Montevallo into the No. 3 seed in the GSC Tournament, earning home-court advantage for the conference quarterfinals. 

The performance served as a statement response after the Blazers handed the Falcons a 90-76 loss earlier in the season at Central State Bank Arena. This time around, Montevallo was ready, shooting an impressive 53 percent from the floor and 38 percent from beyond the arc while dominating the paint by a 52-28 margin. Five Falcons scored in double figures, including four starters. Jaylen Curry led the way with 25 points and six rebounds, while adding an assist and a block. Derek Moore, Brandon Fussell, and Cam Andrews combined for 54 points to fuel the statement win. 

1. Baseball vs. No. 1 Tampa 

The Falcons handed the reigning – and eventual repeat – national champions their first loss of the season in February a year ago. The 5-2 win at home marked the program’s first-ever victory over a No. 1 ranked opponent and set the tone to open conference play the following week. 

Adiel Melendez, a key piece of the Falcons’ 2025 campaign who later signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves in July, was dominant on the mound against the Spartans. The left-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out five. 

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Montevallo sparked its comeback when freshman Jacob Pearl launched the first home run of his collegiate career to pull the Falcons within one. In the sixth, pinch hitter Khalil Bell delivered a clutch RBI single before Pearl drove in another run to give Montevallo a 3-2 advantage. The Falcons added insurance in the seventh when Evan Radford blasted a two-run homer to cap the scoring. 

Garrett Sloan closed the door in relief, earning his fourth save of the season by tossing 2.2 innings, surrendering just one hit, and striking out one batter to secure a historic win for Montevallo.