The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
University of Memphis
Blazer Volleyball Falls Short to Tigers
10/13/2023 9:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MEMPHIS – The UAB Volleyball team fell to the Memphis Tigers in a four-setter on Friday in the Larry O. Finch Center. The Blazers, who rallied to get within reach of obtaining the fourth set, were not able to extend the match to a fifth.
Freshman Katia Nikolic had a standout evening in the Green and Gold, leading the team in kills. The Blazers sit at 0-8 in AAC play and 2-18 overall.
IN THE SETS
The first set opened up with an early 6-2 lead for Memphis. The Blazers rallied back to get within one with a pair of kills from Katia Nikolic and Chloe Rodriguez. However, Memphis maintained the lead, holding the Blazers to single digits before a kill from Mia Reese put UAB within five. With the Green and Gold halted to 15, the Tigers took set one, 25-15.
UAB opened up set two first to strike, but Memphis responded with a run to lead 6-4. The Blazers saw an opening in Memphis' scoring to take control after three attack errors from the Tigers and three kills from the Blazers' offense put UAB ahead by three. UAB would hold the lead but were halted after a 6-0 run that pushed Memphis head 17-14. The Green and Gold would rally back to tie at 19 before going on a 6-1 run to collect set two 25-21.
The Green and Gold entered the third set trailing early but found their footing to get within a point of Memphis. The Blazers were unable to capitalize, faulted by attack errors, putting Memphis on a 9-1 scoring run to get within 20. The Tigers took set three 25-15 after the Blazers were held to six kills in set three.
The deciding set went the distance with five ties and two lead changes. The determining factor would come from errors on the Blazers' part. UAB persisted and got within two after a 4-0 run, remaining within two points of the Tigers before tying at 19. The Blazers followed up with a run, headlined by Chloe Rodriguez; a pair of kills and a block from Rodriguez and Madison Page put UAB ahead 21-22, but a 4-0 run gave Memphis the set and match at 25-22.
IN THE BOX
- Freshmen Katia Nikolic and Mia Reese combined for 13 kills.
- Madison Page finished the night with seven total blocks, contributing to the Blazers 12 on the night.
- Errors would be the determining factor of the night for the Blazers, with UAB totaling 30 attack errors.
- On the defensive, the Blazers and Tigers were neck-and-neck on defense. The Green and Gold finished with 60 digs to Memphis' 61, and both teams finished with 12 blocks.
UP NEXT
The Blazers enter the second meeting of the weekend versus the Tigers, taking on Memphis at 4 PM.
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