UAB Falls on the Road to Rice, 3-0

Monday, February 22

Houston, Texas

1:00 PM

UAB

4-5, 3-3

Rice

7-3, 6-0

UAB

Rice

UAB Falls on the Road to Rice, 3-0

2/22/2021 5:51:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

HOUSTON — The UAB volleyball team dropped their third consecutive conference match in a three-set sweep by Rice.

"While the outcome was not what we wanted, we're fortunate to have had the chance to play these two games against the team leading the West," head coach Betsy Freeburg said. "They're a team who has confidence in their identity and who they are; we are still trying to figure that out."

Fernanda Maida had a match-high 12 kills and two service aces. Sophomore Grace Koper had 11 assists for the Blazers.

In the first set, UAB (4-5, 3-3 CUSA) jumped out to a 7-3 lead, led by Maida's two service aces. Rice (7-3, 6-0 CUSA) came back to tie the set at 13. After fighting back to get the set within a point, the Owls ended on a five-point run to take set one, 25-20.

The Owls used a 7-1 run in the second set to go up by five over the Blazers. UAB used a five-point and four-point runs to get the set within two, 22-20. Rice closed out the set by taking the last two points, 25-20.

Rice doubled up the Blazers opening the third set, 10-5. Rice ended the set with a 6-2 run for the 25-14 set and the three-set match sweep.

"We're looking forward to growing from this weekend," Freeburg added. "Many of the goals we set for this team at the beginning of the year are still in reach for our program. We're looking forward to competing at home this weekend."

UAB will return home for a two-match series versus Louisiana Tech Feb. 20 (11 a.m.) and 21 (1 p.m.). The match will be streamed on CUSA.tv.

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.