The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
2-7,0-0AAC
University of Alabama
8-1,0-0SEC
Blazers Fall to Alabama in Home Tournament Finale
9/10/2023 5:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Volleyball concluded the final day of the Blazer Classic against the Alabama Crimson Tide, where the Blazers fell in three sets. The Blazers hold a record of 2-7 at the conclusion of the weekend.
UAB totaled 31 kills on 92 attacks, with Mia Reese being the sole Blazer to finish with 11 kills on the day. Madison Page led in attack percentage, going .500.
IN THE SETS
The Crimson Tide jumped out with a 6-1 lead to start the match. The Blazers began to chip away at the early lead, taking advantage of service errors. Mia Reese then put up back-to-back kills, followed by a kill from Jorda Crook to get within four points. The Tide continued a steady run, with the Blazers trailing 11-15. The Green and Gold would be unable to keep up with Alabama, dropping set one 18-25.
The second set saw Asli Celikkol deliver the first strike with a kill. Alabama responded with a 5-1 run before Celikkol added another kill followed by a service ace from Kelsey Smith to halt the run. A service error from Alabama and a solo block from Mia Reese put UAB within one point. However, the Crimson Tide jumped out to an eight-point lead. UAB responded with a 6-1 run, putting them within four. Alabama went on to maintain their lead, and what would be the final point before coach Freeburg challenged the kill, reversing it to a block assist for Crook and Madison Page. The Crimson Tide went on to then take set two.
The final set was the lowest scoring for the Blazers, mirroring the second and first with a scoring run from Alabama. UAB were within four points after a block assist from Crook and Chloe Rodriguez. The Blazers crept closer, getting within two courtesy of a set of kills from Mia Reese and Kelsey Smith. However, Alabama would hold UAB to twelve points, reaching the 20-point mark. The Blazers would score only four more times before Alabama took set three 25 points to UAB's 16.
IN THE BOX
- Mia Reese totalled 11 kills and two blocks.
- Kelsey Smith finished with seven digs and seven kills. She was one of two Blazers to tally an ace.
- The Blazers out-blocked and out-dug the Crimson Tide, with five blocks to Alabama's four and 45 digs to their 40.
UP NEXT
The Blazers travel to Homewood to take on crosstown rival Samford on Wednesday, Sept 13. The match begins at 7PM at the Pete Hanna Center.
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