The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Rice
Volleyball Falls To Rice, 3-0, Hosts Charlotte Sunday
11/15/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss to Rice on Friday evening. The Blazers had two players record double-digit kills in the match.
"We didn't come out with any kind of energy at all in the first one-and-a-half sets," said head coach Kerry Messersmith. "By that time Rice had developed momentum and Rice is a good team. They have gone through some adversity this year but they have great coaches and some great players. You have to jump out on a team like that from the very start and we just didn't do it."
UAB fell to 19-13 (6-7 C-USA) while Rice improved to 10-18 (6-7 C-USA). The Blazers were led by junior Sara Rishell and senior Ally Slaughter, who each put down 12 kills. Slaughter added 16 digs for her second double-double of the season.
Senior Becca Howard returned to the lineup and dished out 22 assists in the match. She split time with freshman Amber Treace who tallied 17 assists. Defensively, three Blazers had double-figure digs with Rachel Fairbanks grabbing 21, Slaughter 16 and junior Bethanie Thomas had 15.
The teams battled through the first set and UAB was able to pull away slightly with a 17-13 lead at one point, but Rice fought its way back into the match to tie it up at 21-21. From there, the Owls put together a 4-0 run to win the set 25-21.
Rice was on the board quickly in the second set, taking a 4-0 lead over the Blazers. UAB pulled within one, but could not take the lead. Rice remained in control to take the set 25-12 and lead 2-0 at the break.
The Blazers fell behind early in the third set, but bounced back with a 6-0 run that included two kills by Slaughter, gave them an 18-16 lead. The teams traded points battled to a 23-23 tie, but a kill by Rice's Chelsea Harris and then a block by Mariah Riddlesprigger capped off a 25-23 win for the Owls.
The Owls out-hit UAB .247 to .185 on the night. Noelle Whitlock led Rice with 10 kills.
UAB will play its final home match of the season on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. CT. The Blazers will honor seniors Rachel Fairbanks, Becca Howard and Ally Slaughter at the conclusion of the match.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UAB_VB.
