The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Fall 3-0 to WKU in Season Opener
11/7/2020 5:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Bowling Green, Ky. — UAB volleyball opened up the season against a tough Western Kentucky team on Saturday. The Blazers (0-1) fought hard through the end, but ultimately fell 3-0 to WKU (1-0). In the exhibition match against Middle Tennessee, UAB won in five sets, 3-2.
"We are so proud of how the Blazers came back and fought against Middle Tennessee after a tough match against a very good WKU team," said head coach Betsy Freeburg. "The win against Middle Tennessee was a total team effort with different people showing up in big moments throughout the match. We are looking forward to continuing on that effort going into the spring season."
UAB vs. WKU
The Blazers were led by sophomore Fernanda Maida with 17 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Lidya Canturk added 12 assists, four digs and a kill.
In the first set, UAB came out strong taking the first two points. WKU answered taking the next three points. The Blazers were able to tie the match up at six off a kill from Lexy Thomas. The Lady Toppers then took eight of the next nine points, bringing WKU's lead to seven. WKU took set one 25-14.
WKU jumped out to an early 5-0 led in the second set. A ball handling error by WKU brought UAB within four (20-16). The Lady Toppers' lead continued to grow and took the set 25-18.
The third set was close early as WKU had a 4-3 lead. After a few runs by the Lady Toppers, their lead grew to seven (17-10). After an error from WKU, UAB was able to close the gap to one (23-22). Two kills from Lauren Matthews put the match away for WKU, 25-23, to take the sweep.
UAB vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE - EXHIBITION MATCH
It was a back and forth battle in the first set but UAB came away with the set, 26-24, after a 3-0 run to close it out. Maida recorded six kills. Laney Dale and Canturk added five assists.
In the second set, the Blue Raiders had a pair of 3-0 and a 4-0 scoring runs late to tie up the match at one. MTSU hit .444 compared to .138 for UAB in the second set.
Middle Tennessee continued their run from the second set into the third. A 7-0 run at the end for the Blue Raiders closed out the set, 25-18. UAB had their best hitting percentage in the set going .333.
Set four was close all of the way, but UAB pulled ahead down the stretch to win 25-21 to take the match to a fifth set. In the end, the Blazers came away with the exhibition win over MTSU taking the final set 15-12.
The Blazers will resume the season in January 2021. Check UABSports.com for all of the latest schedule updates.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, 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 @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
"We are so proud of how the Blazers came back and fought against Middle Tennessee after a tough match against a very good WKU team," said head coach Betsy Freeburg. "The win against Middle Tennessee was a total team effort with different people showing up in big moments throughout the match. We are looking forward to continuing on that effort going into the spring season."
UAB vs. WKU
The Blazers were led by sophomore Fernanda Maida with 17 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Lidya Canturk added 12 assists, four digs and a kill.
In the first set, UAB came out strong taking the first two points. WKU answered taking the next three points. The Blazers were able to tie the match up at six off a kill from Lexy Thomas. The Lady Toppers then took eight of the next nine points, bringing WKU's lead to seven. WKU took set one 25-14.
WKU jumped out to an early 5-0 led in the second set. A ball handling error by WKU brought UAB within four (20-16). The Lady Toppers' lead continued to grow and took the set 25-18.
The third set was close early as WKU had a 4-3 lead. After a few runs by the Lady Toppers, their lead grew to seven (17-10). After an error from WKU, UAB was able to close the gap to one (23-22). Two kills from Lauren Matthews put the match away for WKU, 25-23, to take the sweep.
UAB vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE - EXHIBITION MATCH
It was a back and forth battle in the first set but UAB came away with the set, 26-24, after a 3-0 run to close it out. Maida recorded six kills. Laney Dale and Canturk added five assists.
In the second set, the Blue Raiders had a pair of 3-0 and a 4-0 scoring runs late to tie up the match at one. MTSU hit .444 compared to .138 for UAB in the second set.
Middle Tennessee continued their run from the second set into the third. A 7-0 run at the end for the Blue Raiders closed out the set, 25-18. UAB had their best hitting percentage in the set going .333.
Set four was close all of the way, but UAB pulled ahead down the stretch to win 25-21 to take the match to a fifth set. In the end, the Blazers came away with the exhibition win over MTSU taking the final set 15-12.
The Blazers will resume the season in January 2021. Check UABSports.com for all of the latest schedule updates.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, 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 @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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