The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
-1012,55 CUSA
WKU
-222,100 CUSA
Volleyball Falls to WKU 0-3
10/28/2022 9:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BOWLING GREEN – The UAB Volleyball team (10-12, 5-5 C-USA) fell to the No. 22 WKU Hilltoppers 0-3. The Blazers, who finished the previous week unscathed with two three-set wins, were toppled similarly by the Hilltoppers in E.A. Diddle Arena.
"We certainly showed growth from the first time we played WKU tonight. We served aggressively and our middles did a great job capitalizing on opportunities tonight." said head coach Betsy Freeburg.
IN THE SETS
The first set stayed within close quarters, with the Blazers keeping pace with the Hilltoppers. WKU continued the momentum, but UAB responded by taking advantage of attack errors off of the Hilltoppers. The Blazers only allowed two more points before tying the score at ten, before taking a lead after a series of kills from Lidya Canturk and Maia Rackel. UAB maintained the lead before a 5-0 run from WKU put the Hilltoppers back ahead. The Blazers' three attack errors in the latter half of the set positioned the Hilltoppers to get within two of taking set one. A kill from Fernanda Maida halted the run, but WKU took set one 25-22.
Set two mirrored the first, with UAB and WKU staying close in scoring. The Hilltoppers kept the Blazers at arms' length but were able to go on a 4-0 run to force a timeout from the Blazers as UAB trailed 6-10. The Blazers continued to trail before going on a back-and-forth battle between the two squads. A 3-0 run from the Green and Gold put the Blazers two points behind the Hilltoppers' 20. The Hilltoppers got within a set point, but two attack errors and an ace from Alex Kells extended the set. WKU closed out the set 25-22 after a kill.
The third and final set saw the Hilltoppers and Blazers stay close quarters, with a series of 2-0 and 3-0 runs to keep the two teams close. A kill from the Hilltoppers was challenged by coach Freeburg to change the score from 7-3 to 6-4. The Blazers were then able to tie the score at eight, but the score continued to sway between the Green and Gold and WKU, tying nine times. The Hilltoppers continued their run before taking the final set 25-19.
IN THE BOX
The Blazers showed solid efforts on both sides of the ball. Despite the straight-set loss, the average score margin within the three sets was 3.67 points. The Blazers would be closely matched with the Hilltoppers, posting a hitting percentage of .239 to WKU's .288. The Blazers outperformed the Hilltoppers in digs with 49 to WKU's 48, and aces with six to WKU's three.
Stat leaders from the Blazers include Fernanda Maida, who led in kills with 11. Chloe Rodriguez led in hitting percentage with .833, totaling five kills. Lidya Canturk finished the match with a double-double, with 32 assists and ten digs. On the defensive, Erin Powers led the team in digs with 13. Powers eclipsed the 1000-dig mark in the first set.
QUOTES FROM BETSY FREEBURG
"In set three, WKU got us out of the system and then took advantage in transition offensively."
"The Blazers fought hard for every point tonight. We never gave up and that's something to build on. We are excited to get back to Birmingham and for another chance to compete against Charlotte Sunday."
UP NEXT
The Blazers return to Bartow Arena to take on the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 30 at noon. The Blazers will host a Halloween Costume-Themed match, where fans can gain $3 entry when wearing a costume.
2022-23 GOLD CARD
Purchase the 2022-23 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2022-23 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for Conference USA or NCAA Championship events.
To keep up with the UAB Volleyball Team, follow @UAB_VB on Instagram and Twitter.
