UAB Opens Conference Play on the Road at North Texas, Louisiana Tech

Friday, September 27

Denton, Texas

7 p.m.

UAB

North Texas

UAB Opens Conference Play on the Road at North Texas, Louisiana Tech

9/26/2019 10:07:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

UAB VB Game Notes - NT, La Tech Season Stats 2019 Schedule

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB volleyball team will continue its road stint this weekend, opening its conference schedule at North Texas and Louisiana Tech.

The Blazers will first travel to Denton, Texas, to take on the Mean Green at 7 p.m. on Friday. UAB will then head east to Ruston, La. to square off against Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Both matches will have a live stream and live stats provided by the host institution. Links will be available on the UAB volleyball schedule page.

UAB this season
UAB (8-5) has continued its tear from a week ago as the Blazers took two of three matches over the weekend at the Hail State Invitational, hosted by Mississippi State. UAB swept North Florida and took down Jackson State, 3-1, before being edged by Mississippi State in a five-set thriller, 3-2. Following the weekend, the Blazers have won five of their last six matches.

For their performances through the weekend, redshirt junior outside hitter Emma Mitchell and true freshman setter Rachel Morse were selected to the Hail State Invitational All-Tournament Team. Mitchell piled up 42 kills, 27 digs and seven total blocks in the tournament, while Morse totaled 111 assists, 26 digs and 10 kills through the three matches.

Mitchell continues to be the focal point of the Blazer attack as she leads the squad with 147 kills and 125 digs. Morse has stepped up in her first collegiate season to set up UAB's offense, compiling a team-high 383 assists on the year.

As a unit, UAB has specialized in serving throughout the season, ranking 16^th in the nation and second in Conference USA in aces with 90 to date.

Scouting North Texas
The Mean Green (6-6) hosts its first conference match sitting at an even .500 after going 1-2 in its home-hosted North Texas challenge. North Texas lost a pair of five setters to Kansas State and New Mexico before sweeping Ohio in the tournament.

Based on this season's action, the strength of North Texas is its defense. The Mean Green come into the contest ranking 36^th in the country and third in the conference with an average of 16.3 digs per set this year.

Individually, junior outside hitter has been the most active on the offensive end as she averages 12.93 attacks per set, which ranks fifth in the NCAA and first in Conference USA. The Sugar Land, Texas, native averages 4.18 kills per set, which is the third-highest average in the conference and brings her up to a team-high 201 kills this season.

In the all-time series between the two, North Texas currently holds a 6-1 lead. UAB's lone win came in 2013 as the Blazers swept the Mean Green in Bartow Arena.

Scouting Louisiana Tech
The Lady Techsters (9-4) will host the Blazers after jumping out to a hot start overall. Louisiana Tech recently got swept by South Alabama in the Jaguars' home-hosted South Alabama Invite before taking down Nicholls State and Bethune-Cookman 3-1 apiece to conclude the event.

Although Louisiana Tech doesn't stick out in one individual area as a team, the Lady Techsters are in the top half of the conference in multiple categories such as kills, aces, digs and total blocks.

Redshirt senior defensive specialist Morgan Currie has thrived on the defensive end for Louisiana Tech as she has the second most digs in Conference USA with 216 this season. Senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Adams has been the biggest offensive threat for the Lady Techsters so far with 125 kills on the year.

UAB currently holds the all-time series lead over Louisiana Tech, 4-2. The Blazers swept the first two meetings between the programs at home and on the road, then took the last contest in a five-set nailbiter in Bartow Arena a season ago.

Up Next
UAB will be back at home next, hosting Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. in Bartow Arena. Tickets for the match are available now, and live stats along with a live stream will be provided. All pertinent information and links for the contest are located 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).