The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Treks East For Carolina Clash
9/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The UAB volleyball team hopes to continue on its winning ways, taking a three-match win streak to Columbia, S.C. to take part in the Carolina Clash hosted by the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Blazers open tournament play against Winthrop on Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Tournament Field
South Carolina: 8-0
Clemson: 6-1
UAB: 4-4
Winthrop: 3-4
Tournament Schedule
Location: Columbia, S.C. (VB Competition Facility)
Match 1: vs. Winthrop - Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT
Match 2: at South Carolina - Saturday at 10 a.m. CT
Match 3: vs. Clemson - Saturday at 4 p.m. CT
TUESDAY REWIND: UAB 3, Georgia State 1
The UAB volleyball team swatted 16 blocks to control the net and down the Georgia State Panthers, 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-13, 25-17) in the home opener at Bartow Arena.
UAB produced five players with multiple blocks, as the Blazers were one rejection shy of tying their season-high. Middle blockers Sam Serley and Kiriana Hirini paced the Green and Gold with eight (two solo/six assists) and seven (three solo/four assists) blocks, respectively.
SCOUTING UAB
The Blazers have won three consecutive matches heading into the weekend after defeating Georgia State in four sets on Tuesday night.
On the season, UAB is holding the opposition to a .169 attacking percentage, collecting 2.68 blocks per set as a team and have four matches of 10-plus blocks on the season.
A balanced Blazer offense features six players that average more than 1.5 kills per set. Sam Serley leads UAB in both kills (78/2.52 kps) and blocks (44/1.42 bps) on the season and recently passed the 100-point mark.
At libero, Rachel Fairbanks has done an outstanding job in her first season at the position. She tops the team in digs with 151, averaging 4.87 per set. On two occasions this season, Fairbanks recorded 30 or more digs in match.
MILESTONES IN SIGHT
Seniors Sam Serley and Alison Woods are nearing some impressive milestones heading into the weekend.
Serley, a middle blocker, needs just 23 kills to reach 1,000 for her career in Green and Gold.
Woods, a setter, is eight assists shy of eclipsing the 3,000-career mark, which would place her fourth in UAB history in that statistic.
SCOUTING WINTRHOP
Losers of three straight, Winthrop looks to get back on track at the Carolina Clash.
Offensively, four attackers have reached 40 or more kills on the season, led by Stephanie Palmer's 59 put-aways. On the opposite side of the court, Catherine Brusie manages the defense, averaging 4.04 digs per set.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
The host Gamecocks sport a perfect 8-0 record, with six of the eight victories being three-game sweeps.
South Carolina's offense has been a key to its early season success as the team is hitting an impressive .328, led by Cara Howley's .383 attacking clip. Also on offense, three players average more than two kills per set, with Juliette Thevenin posting nearly four kills per frame (3.92).
SCOUTING CLEMSON
Clemson's impressive 6-0 start came to a halt on Tuesday night, when the Tigers fell in four sets to Furman. The Blazers dropped a match to the Paladins, 3-2, at the Blue Raider Bash back on Aug. 25.
A trio of attackers leads the potent Clemson offense in Moneshia Simmons (3.70 kps), Sandra Adeleye (3.22 kps) and Kristin Faust (3.13 kps). As a squad, the Tigers have produced a .293 attacking percentage for the season.
The Tigers have also showcased the ability to block, recording 2.43 per set.
