The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Rice
Uzoh Reaches Double-Digit Blocks In UAB Win At Rice
11/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 6, 2010
HOUSTON -- The UAB volleyball team defeated Rice in five sets Saturday night for the second time this season, and much like three weeks ago in Birmingham, the Blazers utilized a strong blocking performance.
UAB piled up 18 blocks -- tying the most by a Conference USA team this season -- on the way to a 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 26-28, 25-22, 15-11) victory.
Michelle Uzoh played a role in 10 of those blocks, tying for the second-most by an individual player in the league this year. Uzoh also posted 12 kills for the rare kills, blocks double-double.
The Blazers (8-18, 5-9 C-USA) recorded 35 combined blocks in their two five-set wins over Rice (14-13, 9-6 C-USA) this year. The Owls entered the weekend tied for third in the league standings.
Freshman Ally Slaughter led UAB offensively, matching her career-high with 14 kills, but five different Blazers recorded at least nine kills. Sam Serley finished with 11, followed by Kate Morrell and Jordan McDonald with nine each.
UAB setter Alison Woods distributed the ball evenly and finished the match with 50 assists. She also added 15 digs for a double-double. Libero Heather Thomas led the Blazers in digs with 22.
Rice's Nancy Cole led all players with 16 kills, while Meredith Schamun posted a match-high 51 assists and Tracey Lam managed a match-best 33 digs.
After evening the match at two sets apiece, UAB jumped all over Rice in the decisive fifth frame. Leading 4-3, the Blazers put together five straight points to extend their lead to 9-3. The Owls clawed all the way back to within one point at 10-9, but UAB did not get rattled and finished it off with five of the last seven points.
UAB returns to action next weekend with two more road matches. The Blazers will play at Southern Miss on Friday, Nov. 12 and at Tulane on Sunday, Nov. 14.
