The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
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Florida A&M University
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Blazers Prevail in 3-2 Win Over FAMU
8/27/2023 7:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Volleyball closed out the final day of the UAB Invitational with a meeting against Florida A&M. The Blazers, who went to their third straight five-setter, downed the Rattlers 3-2 on Sunday in Bartow Arena.
"We are so proud of the Blazers for their toughness today. Playing three five-set matches on consecutive days is hard not only physically, but mentally and emotionally," said head coach Betsy Freeburg. "We have so many new faces on the court and learn a lot every outing. It was a total team effort, and that shows with four people having double digit kills and four with double digit digs."
The Green and Gold finished the day with over 60 kills, and two consecutive double-doubles from Asli Celikkol and Kelsey Smith. They collect their first win of the season, and sit with a record of 1-2 overall.
SET BY SET
The Blazers and Rattlers began the first set within close quarters before UAB found an opening. The Green and Gold went on a four point rally to extend the lead to six with a score of 20-12. The Blazers continued on their run, with a series of kills from Madison Page and Jorda Crook to put UAB over the edge, securing the first set win.
The second and third sets went to FAMU. The Rattlers jumped out to an early lead, maintaining their two point advantage through the set. The Blazers would get within one point after a kill from Chloe Rodriguez and a ball handling error from the Rattlers.
The Blazers would be unable to collect the second set, and entered the third set with the Rattlers maintaining the lead well throughout. UAB were within a point of FAMU after a kill from Mia Reese before the Rattlers went on a four-point run to extend the lead to 16-11. UAB then responded with a run of their own with a series of kills from Celikkol and Reese to tie at 19. Florida A&M then went on another run to collect the 25-21 win.
In the fourth set, UAB and FAMU remained within a point of each other, collecting kills on both sides of the court. The Blazers found an opening with a kill from Rodriguez, followed by advancing on a series of errors. With a score of 21-17, the Blazers would give up three points to put the Rattlers within one, but the Blazers went on a run to get within a set point. With Florida A&M on their tails, the Blazers hit the gas to tie the match at two sets apiece with a 25-23 win.
In the final set, FAMU jumped out with an early 8-3 lead before a service error halted the momentum. UAB responded with a kill from Reese and a block from Page. The Blazers eventually tied and eclipsed Florida A&M to get within match point. UAB then collected the set and match after a 3-0 run.
IN THE BOX
- In their first win of the season, the Blazers tallied 66 kills on 188 attempts. Four ladies in Green and Gold finished with double digit kills (Celikkol, Rodriguez, Smith, Reese).
- Kelsey Smith and Asli Celikkol finished with double-doubles for their second consecutive match. Smith finished with 17 kills and 16 digs, while Celikkol finished with 12 kills and 13 digs.
- The Blazers outperformed the Rattlers in service aces, blocks and digs.
- Jorda Crook was the fourth highest in hitting percentage, finishing with .286 and providing critical points that swayed the momentum in favor of the Blazers.
- Lidya Canturk finished the evening with 45 assists and six kills.
UP NEXT
The Blazers travel to the Windy City to play in the UIC Invitational. The Green and Gold take on Western Michigan, SIUE and tournament host UIC on September 1 and 2.
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