The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Stetson
Blazers Finish Off Stetson In Three Games
9/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB volleyball team finished its first weekend of competition undefeated, taking down Stetson in three games on Saturday morning in Bartow Arena for the second consecutive day. Freshman Ivana Bozic continued her hot play, recording her third double-double in as many matches. Bozic finished with a match-high and career-best 20 kills to go along with 14 digs. The Blazers are now 3-0 while the Hatters fall to 1-4.
"We've seen improvement now with each match," said co-interim head coach Allison Magner. "This has been a great start and a boost to our players' confidence showing them that they can compete for a top spot in our conference. We're still working on playing completely as a unit, but overall we're very proud."
UAB got things going with a close, 32-30 victory in the opening game. The Blazers hit .283 compared to Stetson's .120. Bozic led UAB with five kills while Stetson's DeeAnn Dempsey led all players with six. UAB freshman setter Nevena Stefanov contributed 18 assists while Shaniquwa Cooper and Casey Dent each hit .400 with three kills.
After a 30-26 Blazer victory in game two, UAB looked to finish off the Hatters and keep them off the scoreboard for the second straight day. The Blazers came out of the gate strong and jumped out to a quick lead before Stetson rebounded. But Bozic again took over, racking up eight of her 20 kills in the final game, and UAB hit a match-high .370, taking a 30-25 victory and putting an end to the match.
Dent and fellow freshman Aleksandra Vujovic combined for 13 kills while both hitting over .450, Stefanov finished the match with 43 assists and UAB's lone senior, Isabel Oquendo, racked up eight kills, nine assists and four block assists. Rebecca Orzechowicz led the way for Stetson, compiling 11 kills and 14 digs in the match for the Hatters.
The Blazers return to action Tuesday evening when they travel down the road to take on in-state rival Samford at 7 p.m.
