The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
2-14,0-4AAC
University of South Florida
9-6,3-1AAC
UAB Volleyball Drops Match One of the USF Series
9/29/2023 8:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
TAMPA – UAB Volleyball closed out its first match of the USF series falling to the Bulls in three sets. The Blazers, who totaled 23 kills, fell to a record of 2-14 overall and 0-4 in AAC play.
IN THE SETS
The first set saw the Blazers enter with a commanding 5-2 lead over the Bulls after two service errors and a series of kills from Kelsey Smith and Mia Reese. However, USF tallied up a three-point run to tie it up. The Blazers maintained the lead up to 12 points before the Bulls overtook the lead with another 3-0 run, keeping the lead by at least three points before the Blazers caught up 20-21. The Bulls held the Green and Gold to 20, taking the set after a 4-0 run.
Set two mirrored set one with the Blazers jumping out 3-1 after three straight attack errors from USF. However, the Bulls extended the lead to 8-3 after five kills, a block, and an attack error on UAB. The Green and Gold would never regain the lead, trailing by as much as seven and getting as close as three points. The Green and Gold took advantage of service errors once again before getting within three of USF. However, the Blazers fell 21-25 in set two.
The final set had South Florida in control early until the eight-point mark before UAB took control with a kill from Jorda Crook and back-to-back aces from Chloe Rodriguez. The Blazers continued their lead before USF tied and took control with a kill and block. The Bulls went on a 7-1 lead before a solo block from Alsi Celikkol halted the momentum. Another service error put UAB within five before another 3-0 run put USF at a set point. The Blazers extended the set point after a solo block from Reese and back-to-back kills from Smith, but the match ended with a kill from USF.
IN THE BOX
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The Blazers totaled 23 kills to the Bulls' 47. Kelsey Smith led the way with eight kills.
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The Green and Gold also out-blocked the Bulls with nine to USF's seven.
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Madison Page finished with two block solos and five block assists for the Green and Gold.
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USF outhit UAB, with the Bulls hitting .360 to the Blazers' .063.
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The Green and Gold finished with more aces in the box, with Rodriguez leading with two. The Bulls gave up 17 points in service errors.
UP NEXT
The Blazers and Bulls revisit for the second and final match of the series. The first serve is scheduled for 2 PM in the Yuengling Center.
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