The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
-47,00 CUSA
Florida State
8-3,0-0ACC
Volleyball Drops Road Match Against Florida State
9/17/2022 3:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
TALLAHASSEE – The UAB Volleyball team (4-7, 0-0 C-USA) finished match one of their weekend trip with a 0-3 loss over the Florida State Seminoles (8-3, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday afternoon in Tully Gym.
The first set started with an early 2-1 lead from the Blazers, with a kill from Alex Kells to put UAB up over the Noles. However, the momentum shifted in favor of FSU, who went up 12-7 over the Green and Gold. The Blazers would get within three points of the Noles before the score margin widened to as much as eight before FSU claimed set one with a score of 25-14.
Set two stayed within close quarters, with a total of 15 ties and seven lead changes throughout the duration of competition. The Blazers kept a two-point lead before FSU delivered a kill to tie the set up at nine apiece. The set continued on a back-and-forth rally between UAB and FSU, tying before the Noles gained control with a two-point lead at 19-21. The score remained in close proximity, until a kill from Chloe Rodriguez tied the set at 22 all. FSU would then regain control of the lead and win the set 22-25.
"We reminded ourselves about the game plan and working hard to put them out of system and defending and then taking advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves," said Head Coach Betsy Freeburg on the team's performance in set two. "We also talked about fighting for turning aces into playable balls and our passers responded well to that and put us in much better situations."
In the third set, the Noles gained early control of the lead, with an early four-point lead to force a UAB timeout. The Noles maintained control of the set, extending their lead to seven before extending it to 10, taking the final set and match with a 25-14 win.
The Blazers finished with 33 kills to the Noles 41, while UAB finished the afternoon with a hitting percentage of .158 to FSU .320. Stat leaders from the Blazers included Alex Kells, who finished with eight kills for the Green and Gold. Kells also finished the afternoon leading in digs with 10, partnered up with Erin Powers who also finished with 10 digs. Freshman Jay Collins finished with a career-high of five kills for the Blazers.
QUOTES FROM BETSY FREEBURG
"Jay (Collins) is doing a really nice job continuing to play her role. She came out and had a great block assist the first play of the game and continues to work hard to be an offensive option. We say a middle's job is to be efficient offensively and she has done a great job when she gets set of putting the ball away."
"Our passing certainly improved as the match went on and we will continue to work through that. We have got to have more production out of our pin attackers and continue to work on fighting hard for every point. We've got to continue working on how to create kills and are looking forward to bouncing back tomorrow at FAMU."
UP NEXT
UAB returns to action on Sunday as they travel to Al Lawson Center at the highest of the seven hills of Florida A&M University at 1 p.m. This will be the first meeting between the Blazers and Rattlers since 2018.
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