The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sunday, February 21
Houston, Texas
1:00 PM
UAB
4-4, 3-2
0
at
3
Rice
6-3, 5-0
1
2
3
F
UAB
21
25
20
0
Rice
25
27
25
3
UAB Drops to C-USA West Leader Rice
2/21/2021 7:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — The UAB volleyball team battled Conference USA West Division leader Rice on Sunday in a three-set sweep going the way of the Owls.
"Today we fell short against a very good Rice team," head coach Betsy Freeburg said. "We did a good job in sets one and two in implementing our defensive game plan but struggled to get our offense going."
UAB (4-4, 3-2 CUSA) was led by Fernanda Maida who had a match-high 15 kills and freshman Erin Powers with a career-high 20 digs.
"Erin did a great job defensively today," added Freeburg. "She was able to stay focused and disciplined and it showed with her performance. She certainly stepped up and was confident in her role and it showed in her play.
The Green and Gold jumped out a 10-5 lead to begin the match, but Rice (6-3, 5-0 CUSA) answered back with a 10-4 run. The late comeback came up short for the Blazers and fell in set one, 25-21.
The second set saw 10 ties and four lead changes in a back-and-forth battle on both sides. After Rice was up 23-21, UAB came back to tie the set at 23. The Owls took four of the last six points to win the set, 27-25.
Rice jumped up to a 5-2 lead in the third set. The Blazers had a 4-1 run late to bring the set within four points, but Rice took four of the last seven points to clinch the set, 25-20, and the match sweep.
The Blazers will stay in Houston for match two against Rice tomorrow at 1 p.m. and will be broadcasted on CUSA.tv. UAB will return home for a two-match series versus Louisiana Tech Feb. 20 and 21.
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 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.
"Today we fell short against a very good Rice team," head coach Betsy Freeburg said. "We did a good job in sets one and two in implementing our defensive game plan but struggled to get our offense going."
UAB (4-4, 3-2 CUSA) was led by Fernanda Maida who had a match-high 15 kills and freshman Erin Powers with a career-high 20 digs.
"Erin did a great job defensively today," added Freeburg. "She was able to stay focused and disciplined and it showed with her performance. She certainly stepped up and was confident in her role and it showed in her play.
The Green and Gold jumped out a 10-5 lead to begin the match, but Rice (6-3, 5-0 CUSA) answered back with a 10-4 run. The late comeback came up short for the Blazers and fell in set one, 25-21.
The second set saw 10 ties and four lead changes in a back-and-forth battle on both sides. After Rice was up 23-21, UAB came back to tie the set at 23. The Owls took four of the last six points to win the set, 27-25.
Rice jumped up to a 5-2 lead in the third set. The Blazers had a 4-1 run late to bring the set within four points, but Rice took four of the last seven points to clinch the set, 25-20, and the match sweep.
The Blazers will stay in Houston for match two against Rice tomorrow at 1 p.m. and will be broadcasted on CUSA.tv. UAB will return home for a two-match series versus Louisiana Tech Feb. 20 and 21.
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 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.
Team Stats
UAB
RICE
Kills
36
42
Errors
20
19
Attempts
107
108
Hitting %
.150
.213
Points
46.0
57.0
Assists
34
37
Aces
5
5
Blocks
5.0
10.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
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