The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
2-8,0-0AAC
Samford University
5-5,0-0SoCon
Volleyball Falls to Crosstown Rival Samford
9/13/2023 11:09:00β―PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM β UAB Volleyball concluded their mid-week matchup versus the Samford Bulldogs with a 1-3 loss. The Blazers' overall record sits at 2-8 as they close out the crosstown matchup meeting.Β
UAB's overall record with Samford sits at 26-6. Two Blazers finished with double-digit kills, with Kelsey Smith totaling a fourth double-double on the season after tonight.
IN THE SETS
The first set saw a dominant run by UAB, with the Green and Gold taking the first point of the night with a service error from the Bulldogs. The Blazers went on to gain and maintain their lead, extending it to 13-9 after a 4-0 run. Samford crept back after an attack error and ace, but UAB continued the offensive and defensive run to claim set one, 25-19.
Set two tied up the match one win apiece with an early lead for the Bulldogs. UAB trailed 5-12 after a series of runs put Samford in front for the first half of the set. The Blazers halted the run after a block assist from Mia Reese and Madison Page. They continued the run with back-to-back kills from Asli Celikkol and Chloe Rodriguez, but Samford kept the lead sizable through the set. Set two would go to Samford, 25-18.
The third set saw a series of scoring back-and-forth between the Blazers and Bulldogs. The score tied four times before the ten-point mark. Samford would go on a 9-1 scoring run to get within twenty points. UAB went on a run of their own, getting within four after a 6-1 scoring run before Samford closed set three with a score of 25-19.
In the final set, both teams kept the score close; however, Samford jumped out to a 9-4 lead to start. UAB responded with a series of kills and blocks to take the 12-11 lead, with the Blazers taking advantage of attack errors. With the score at 18-16, Samford tallied up four points to regain the lead. UAB tied twice more to extend the set before the Bulldogs responded with a series of kills to take the set and match.Β
IN THE BOXΒ
- Kelsey Smith led the way in kills with 12 and tallied 14 digs. She attacked with a percentage of .310 on the night and accounted for 16.5 points.Β
- Asli Celikkol also finished in double-digit kills and was shy of a double-double with eight digs.
- The Blazers out-dug the Bulldogs with 71 to their 69.
- UAB saw more success on the serving front with nine aces. Smith finished with five of the nine, while Burkhardt had two.Β
- Burkhardt finished with 31 digs, a career-high.
UP NEXT
The Blazers travel to Mobile, where they play in the Alabama Showdown. They take on the Auburn Tigers and the South Alabama Jaguars.
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