Atlanta Vibe Dominate Columbus Fury in Decisive 3-1 Victory

The Atlanta Vibe secured a commanding 3-1 win against the Columbus Fury at Gas South Arena on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The victory showcased a strong team performance, highlighted by key contributions from Outside Hitter Leah Edmond and a standout debut from Outside Hitter Taylor Smith.

First Set Comeback Fuels Vibe Momentum

Atlanta started strong, taking the first set 25-23 after a dramatic comeback. Trailing 23-20, the Vibe rallied with a five-point surge fueled by nine combined kills from Leah Edmond and Opposite Hitter Aiko Jones. Head Coach Kayla Banwarth emphasized the significance of this comeback, stating, “For them to compete like they did and pull out that first set was literally a gamechanger. I thought it changed the whole momentum of the match.”

Columbus Responds, Vibe Regain Control

Columbus responded in the second set, securing a 25-16 win. However, the Vibe quickly regained control in the third set, winning 25-18, thanks to four kills and three digs from Taylor Smith in her first start of the season.

Smith Shines in Decisive Fourth Set

Atlanta closed out the match with a decisive 25-13 victory in the fourth set, again led by Smith, who contributed another four kills. Smith finished the game with an impressive 13 kills, nine digs, and a block. Banwarth praised the team’s performance, saying, “I thought we were deserving of this win the way that this team has been working the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, we didn’t see that manifest itself in Grand Rapids, so it’s nice to come away with a dub and see the fruits of our labor.”

Strong Performances Across the Board

Beyond Smith’s standout performance, Middle Blocker Awoleye too made a significant impact in her first start of the season, recording four blocks, seven kills, and three digs. Libero Britt Rampelberg anchored the defense with a season-high 20 digs. Awoleye expressed her commitment to defensive excellence, stating, “When other things aren’t going well, I’m supposed to be a wall at this net and I’m going to be a wall. That’s my mindset.”

Looking Ahead

The Atlanta Vibe will return to Gas South Arena on Saturday, February 21, at 6 pm ET to face the Indy Ignite.