The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
UCF
Blazers Drop Conference Opener At UCF, 3-1
9/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 30, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. - The UAB volleyball team fought hard, but was unable to hold off UCF, as the Golden Knights came back for a 3-1 victory on Friday evening at UCF Arena in Orlando. The Blazers fall to 9-2 overall and 0-1 in league play after dropping their C-USA opener. UCF is now 4-5 and 2-0 in C-USA. Friday's match marked the first time UAB was on the court since Sept. 17.
"We fought hard until the end and it was very exciting," said co-interim head coach Allison Magner. "So we were proud of the way the girls came back in the fourth game specifically. We were really excited to play tonight and we're looking forward to Sunday."
The Blazers grabbed the early advantage with a 30-28 win in the opening game. UAB hit .263 as a team, its best mark of the match en route to the victory. The Golden Knights rebounded with a 30-24 win in game two. UCF hit an outstanding .385 as a squad to tie the match at one game apiece.
The teams battled back-and-forth over the next two games, but the Golden Knights proved too strong for the Blacers, coming away with a 31-29 win in game three and 30-28 victory to finish off the match in the fourth contest.
Three UAB players recorded double-doubles in the match. Isabel Oquendo led the way with team highs of 16 kills and 13 digs. Aleksandra Vujovic (10 kills, 10 digs) and Nevena Stefanov (44 assists, 11 digs) also had strong showings for the Blazers. Casey Dent led the Blazers with six block assists and added 12 kills. UCF was led by Maina Heming's 17 kills and 11 digs.
The Blazers return to action Sunday when they travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. for a 2 p.m. CT match at Southern Miss.
