UAB Secures Win in Five-Set Thriller Over Cleveland State

Saturday, August 27

Buffalo, N.Y.

10 a.m.

UAB

-12,00 CUSA

Cleveland State

0-2,0-0Horizon

UAB

Cleveland St.

UAB Secures Win in Five-Set Thriller Over Cleveland State

8/27/2022 2:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BUFFALO – The UAB Volleyball team (1-2, 0-0 C-USA) rounded out the final match of the Buffalo Invite taking on Cleveland State (0-2, 0-0, HL) in a five-set thriller. After dropping the first two matches in the tournament, the Blazers went on to take the final set off a dominant offensive effort and secure the 3-2 win (25-15, 22-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-9) over the Vikings.

In the first set, the Blazers mirrored efforts seen in the Xavier match, with a 25-15 win over the Vikings. UAB went on a 5-0 run before Cleveland State put points on the board with a service error from the Blazers. The score margin never got closer than five points, and UAB kept a commanding lead throughout the duration of the set.

Cleveland State responded by taking advantage of UAB's nine attack errors acquired throughout the duration of the second set. The Vikings gained the lead after an error drawn from Alex Kells, going on to tie the match with one win per team. The third set saw strong efforts from UAB, where the Blazers went on a 4-0 run with back-to-back aces from Erin Powers. UAB followed up with another 6-0 run, with Kiana Mack providing a kill, giving an 11-point lead and regaining control of the match in favor of the Blazers.

The fourth set mirrored set two, with the Vikings taking the early lead. The Blazers were within two points of the Vikings with a kill from Kiana Mack, but Cleveland State held onto the lead and took the set. The final set had the Vikings jumping out to a 5-2 lead early, however, the Blazers responded with a 6-0 run. Attack errors turned the tide in favor of UAB, and proved fruitful as offensive and defensive efforts helped them to extend the lead. The final point to end the match was decided by a kill from Chloe Rodriguez, giving UAB a 15-9 win in the set to secure 3-2 win.

The Blazers concluded with a 1-2 record in the tournament. Maia Rackel, who totaled 52 kills, 47 digs and hit .298 in the tournament, was honored on the 2022 Buffalo Invite All-Tournament Team.

Stat leaders for the Blazers saw Fernanda Maida with 23 kills, Kiana Mack with four aces and three blocks, Lidya Canturk with 58 assists and Erin Powers with 27 digs, a career high.

QUOTE FROM BETSY FREEBURG

"We are proud of our team's resilience today against Cleveland State. Like every match this weekend, we started strong and then we had to battle. I'm excited to build off this win and get back home and compete in Bartow next week."

QUOTE FROM MAIA RACKEL ON ALL-TOURNAMENT HONOR

"I thought we played great, it was a great way to end the weekend. We played together and had fun doing it."

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