The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina University
Blazers Go the Distance with ECU, Falling in Five-Setter
9/24/2023 5:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Volleyball fell to the East Carolina Pirates on Sunday in Bartow Arena. The Blazers, who forced a five-setter on the afternoon, could not secure the win. The Green and Gold fall to a record of 2-13 overall and 0-3 in the American.
IN THE SETS
The Blazers dropped set one after the Pirates entered the match on an early 4-0 run. UAB responded after two attack errors to put the Green and Gold within a point of ECU. East Carolina continued their run to extend the lead to five points, with UAB remaining within close quarters and trailing 9-10. With ECU continuing their run, they held UAB to 18 points as the Blazers fell in set one, 18-25.
ECU continued the momentum in set two with 15 kills to UAB's nine, with the Green and Gold unable to keep up with the Pirates. The Blazers did not gather their offensive footing, falling in set two 17-15. However, the third and fourth set showed a shift in the Blazers' favor. UAB jumped to a 5-3 lead in set three, but ECU responded with a run to put them in front.
There would be four ties before the Green and Gold gathered the lead after a 4-0 run put UAB up 11-9. ECU responded with an 8-3 run to have UAB trail 14-17. The Blazers rallied back to regain and take the 23-22 lead after a 7-3 run before ECU tied with a kill. The Blazers won set three 25-24 and had a similar result in set four with 11 lead changes and 24 ties between both sets.
In the deciding set, the Blazers and Pirates went for blows, with ECU collecting a series of kills to lead 4-1. UAB responded with a commanding 8-0 run lead by Kelsey Smith to take the lead 9-4. The Pirates responded with three points on the board, but the Blazers still led 10-7.
The Blazers then gave up six points to ECU to shift the score 11-13, with UAB trailing by two. Chloe Rodriguez put UAB within one before ECU sat at match point after a service error. Another kill from Madison Page kept the score within one point, but the end of the match saw a kill from ECU to end the set and match 15-13.
IN THE BOX
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The Blazers tallied a hitting percentage of .227 on the day, with their best set coming in set three.
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UAB was outhit by ECU in each set except the fourth, where both teams hit .244.
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Kelsey Smith led the team in kills with 21, a career-high. She finished with another double-double with 14 digs and finished with four aces.
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The Green and Gold and Pirates both finished with ten service aces apiece.
UP NEXT
UAB travels to Tampa Bay where the Green and Gold take on the USF Bulls to continue their AAC run. The Blazers compete on Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29.
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