The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
2-9,0-0AAC
Auburn University
9-1,0-0SEC
Blazers Fall to Auburn in Four Sets
9/15/2023 7:33:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MOBILE – UAB Volleyball fell to No. 24 Auburn in four sets on Friday afternoon on day one of the Alabama Showdown. The Blazers now sit at a record of 2-9 after the team's loss to the Tigers.
Two Blazers finished with double-digit kills and totaled seven aces on the day. They held Auburn to a hitting percentage of .189.
IN THE SETS
The first set of the match started with a close-quarters competition on both sides, with UAB tying with Auburn six times before either team scored ten points. The Blazers tied once more at 11 and 12 points before a kill from Lidya Canturk put the Green and Gold up 14-13. Auburn went on an 11-1 run to advance the Tigers to win the first set 25-15.
Set two saw the Tigers jump out to a 4-0 lead before the Blazers responded with an ace and kill to get within a point of their opponent. Auburn then scored five points to lead 13-7. UAB responded with a series of kills but were unable to gain their footing before Auburn reached the 20-point mark. The Blazers then held Auburn at 20 points after a series of attack errors from the Tigers put UAB ahead 22-20. The set went back and forth, going past the 25-point mark before a block gave UAB a set-two loss.
The third set saw the Blazers jump out to a 7-5 lead before Auburn responded with an eight-point run to put the lead in favor of the Tigers. UAB went on a run to put the team within two points, then tied at 16 after a series of kills from Mia Reese, Asli Celikkol, and Kelsey Smith. The Green and Gold went on to go on another offensive and defensive run to lead 20-17, and eventually collect the third set 25-21.
In the final set, UAB and Auburn remained in close quarters, but the Tigers jumped in front 13-7. Auburn found themselves giving up points after a series of blocks and kills from Reese and Chloe Rodriguez. However, the Tigers still kept a sizable lead. After a kill and ace from Smith, the Blazers were within the 20-point mark, but they would be unable to collect the fourth set, falling 19-25.
IN THE BOX
- The Blazers finished the night hitting .104.
- In set three, UAB hit .233 to Auburn's -0.065.
- Mia Reese and Kelsey Smith finished the day with double-digit kills. Smith tallied 15.5 points for UAB.
- Reese also totaled three block solos and one block assist on the day.
- The Green and Gold finished with seven aces to Auburn's five. Lidya Canturk led in aces with two.
UP NEXT
The Blazers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 16, taking on the South Alabama Jaguars for the tournament finale. The first serve begins at 3:30 pm.
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