UAB Earns Fifth Sweep of the Season Over FIU

Sunday, October 20

Birmingham, Ala. / Bartow Arena

1 p.m.

UAB

11-8, 3-3CUSA

FIU

9-10,2-5CUSA

FIU

UAB

UAB Earns Fifth Sweep of the Season Over FIU

10/20/2019 5:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Season Stats Conference Stats

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB volleyball team cruised past FIU on Sunday afternoon in Bartow Arena, adding its fifth sweep of the season to its resume. The Blazers (11-8, 3-3 C-USA) edged the Panthers (9-10, 2-5 C-USA) in the first set 26-24, then took control for the rest of the match to claim each of the next two sets by a score of 25-18.

"I thought we were really stable emotionally today, which is why we were able to pull out the first set," said coach Amy Pauly. "This young group is working on having a balance between having a ton of energy and not letting dips come when the pressure gets put on them. I thought that first set was one of the first times that we really overcame that feeling of things not going our way. We found a way to win the game. We played balanced and really controlled the game."

Player Spotlight
The Blazers fielded a balanced attack throughout the match. Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Alex Kells embodied that approach by pitching in across the board with 10 kills, six digs and six total blocks

Redshirt junior outside hitter Emma Mitchell led the squad with 11 kills, and the offense continued to run through freshman setter Rachel Morse as she added 31 assists in the match. Freshman middle blocker Kiana Mack stepped up defensively, earning eight total blocks.

"Tonight, everyone played their role really well. I don't think anyone took a set off. They stepped up and did their job," said Pauly. "We talked at the end of the game about being effective even when one skill isn't working in the match. I thought Alex Kells was a great example of that. Her hitting percentage in the first set wasn't awesome, but she found a way to serve tough and get blocks. As a team, the whole group is figuring out how to do that. Today was a team win."

How It Happened
UAB continued to have success from the baseline and at the net. The Blazers piled up 14 blocks to double FIU's seven and froze the Panthers with seven aces without allowing them to add one of their own.

The first set was neck-and-neck throughout as the first clear separation by either side was a 19-15 UAB lead after the Blazers took six out of the last seven points. FIU evened things up at 19 apiece, but UAB jumped back up to match point at 24-21. The Panthers knotted the score once again at 24 all, but UAB took the next two points to claim set one, 26-24.

Set two was tight early, but the Blazers again took the first substantial lead. UAB went on another stretch taking six out of seven points, which this time boosted the Blazers to an 18-12 advantage. That lead proved to be too much for FIU as UAB went on to take the second set, 25-18.

The trend continued into the third set as it was tight early. Both sides went back and forth until the Blazers used a four-point run to take a 20-15 lead. UAB scored nine of the last 12 points of the set including that run, coming out with another 25-18 set win for the 3-0 match sweep.

Up Next
UAB will continue its home stand next with a pair of matches against WKU and Florida Atlantic. The Blazers and Lady Toppers are scheduled to square off on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. UAB will take on Florida Atlantic to follow on Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. to wrap up its stint in Bartow Arena. Individual tickets are available now, and links for live stats and a live stream will be provided on the UAB volleyball schedule page.

Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB volleyball, men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.

For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter or Instagram (@UAB_VB).