UAB Sweeps Western Illinois Three Sets To None

Sunday, September 3

Birmingham, Ala.

12:00 PM

UAB

3-4

Western Illinois

3-3

WIU

UAB

UAB Sweeps Western Illinois Three Sets To None

9/3/2017 3:24:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB volleyball improves to 3-4 on the season after sweeping the Western Illinois Leathernecks 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-16) Sunday afternoon in the final match of the Blazer Invitational.

The first set was full of runs with UAB jumping out to a 9-3 lead but after a timeout by Western Illinois, it reeled off three straight points to close the gap. The Blazers went on a 3-1 run of their own but the Leathernecks answered back with a four point run.

Western Illinois (3-3) went on a 5-0 run late in the set to take a one point lead before the Blazers had an 8-2 run to win the set 25-20.

Set two turned into a thriller late as both teams began trading chances to win the match. UAB has set point 24-23 but Western Illinois fought it off and pushed out to set point with a 25-24 lead. The Blazers fought off set point twice before closing on a 3-0 run to win set two 28-26.

Set three turned into a mere formality as the Blazers took a 12-3 lead on the strength of Erika Zembyla's serving arm. The senior from Cyprus had four service aces in a six point run by UAB. Western Illinois responded late with a five-point run, fighting off match point each time, but in the end, UAB took the set 25-16.

Haley Jared had another stellar performance scoring her fifth double-double of the season, the fourth in a row, by recording 17 kills and 11 digs.

"She is playing all over the floor right now and getting to every ball," head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "She is on another level and it has everyone fired up and playing well."

Gabby Deshotel turned in another strong performance with 10 kills and eight digs. Kenley Adams continued her strong play at the net with 43 assists and 10 digs. Victoria Young led UAB in blocks with eight and added six kills in the match.

"It was a good day for us," Messersmith said. "We played a complete match from start to finish and got the win in three sets. We played well all over the floor and we'll try to carry this momentum with us going forward."

UAB went 3-1 in the Blazers Invitational and had Jared and Adams make the All-Tournament team.

NEXT UP:

The Blazers will hit the road to face Troy on Tuesday Sept. 5. The match is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.