The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Splits A Pair Of Matches At UAB Invitational
9/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 6, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB (1-5, 0-0 Conference USA) split a pair of matches Friday at the UAB Invitational hosted at Bartow Arena. UAB defeated Tennessee State 3-0 in the first match of the day and fell to Troy State 3-2 in the evening session.
With UAB leading 11-10 in game one against Tennessee State, the Blazers went on a 6-0 run to take a 17-10 advantage. The Blazers never looked back, winning the game 30-20.
Game two saw a back and forth battle, but with Tennessee State leading 19-17, UAB used a 4-0 run to go up 21-19 and go on to take the game 30-24.
The score was tied once at 2-2 in game four, but UAB took the lead for good when it went up 3-2, going on to win the game 30-16.
Junior outside hitter Martina Shields led the match in kills with 13, while posting a .346 hitting percentage for the Blazers. Freshman outside hitter Nanea Holmes posted a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs and junior setter Kilee Goetz added 34 assists for UAB.
Junior outside hitter Jennifer Corral led Tennessee State with eight kills and sophomore setter Kristin King added 15 assists.
UAB jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in game one against Troy State and never looked back, winning the game 30-17.
Game two was a tight battle throughout, with UAB prevailing 37-35.
With the score tied at four in game three, Troy State went on top 5-4 and never relinquished the lead, winning the game 30-20.
Game four again saw a back and fourth battle, but with UAB leading 26-25, the Trojans went on a 5-0 run to win the game 30-26.
UAB went on top early in game five, but with the Blazers leading 3-1, Troy State used a 5-0 run to take a 6-3 lead. The Trojans went on to win the game 15-10.
Shields again led the Blazers, posting a double-double with 15 kills and 17 digs. Holmes recorded her second double-double of the evening with 13 kills and 15 digs. Freshman outside hitter/right side hitter Breanne Swenson also recorded a double-double for UAB with 10 kills and 12 digs. Goetz added a UAB career high 53 assists for the match.
Junior middle blocker Rachel Hassan paced Troy State, posting a double-double with 25 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore setter Erika Leitzke added 56 assists for the Trojans.
"Although it looks like we are struggling to compete at times, we are really making some breakthroughs as a team," said UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne. It is very early in the season and I am proud of our team's persistence. It will pay off in the long run with our overall development. We are working very hard to establish balance in our offense and we saw a marked improvement today."
The UAB Invitational continues Saturday as the Blazers will face East Tennessee State in the first match of the day at 11 a.m. Tennessee State and Troy State will meet in the final match of the tournament at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 2-12, children under 2 are admitted free and UAB students are admitted free with a valid student ID. In addition, free admission will be granted to anyone presenting a UAB-Troy State football ticket.
