Fourth-Set Comeback Propels Blazers to Win over Tigers

Wednesday, October 29

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 p.m.

UAB

9-14,2-9American

Memphis

10-16,1-10American

UAB

Memphis

Fourth-Set Comeback Propels Blazers to Win over Tigers

10/29/2025 11:11:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - UAB Volleyball earned its first win at Memphis since 2012 after overcoming a 22-18 deficit in the fourth set. The Blazers dominated the opening two sets before the Tigers turned the tide at the long break. Memphis looked to carry its momentum into a fifth set, but UAB closed out the set on a 9-2 run, clinching a 3-1 Blazer victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Blazers got out to a hot start, going on a six-point run to give themselves a 7-1 lead. Three consecutive blocks forced a Memphis timeout just eight points into the match. Addyson Smock was in on all three of the blocks, plus one more three points earlier. With another block later in the set, Smock's five blocks were the most by any player in a set this season.

UAB continued the heat in the opening set, using a five-point run to expand its lead to 11 later in the set. Teams traded points until Jorda Crook clinched the set for UAB 25-14. The 11-point win is the Blazers' largest in a set since Sept. 13 vs Western Illinois (11 points, set three).

Set two remained tight deep into the set. Tied at 16, the Blazers went on a 5-1 run, the first significant lead of the set. The four-point gap was large enough for UAB to cruise to a 25-20 set victory.

Memphis turned the momentum with the five-point break, taking a 7-3 lead to begin the third set. UAB was able to chip away at the Tiger lead to tie the set at 11. However, Memphis responded immediately with a five-point run to pull away. The Tigers expanded their lead to six, but UAB once again managed to come back to tie the set, this time at 21. After trading points to 23-23, back-to-back Memphis kills gave the hosts their lone set win of the night.

The Tigers looked to keep their momentum going in the fourth set, holding a slight edge throughout the set thanks to a 6-1 run early on. With a block out of the media timeout, Memphis led by four and was primed to force a fifth set. However, Mia Reese's 12th kill of the match, a Meg Jarrett ace, and a Memphis error closed the Tiger lead to just one. Memphis responded, regaining its four-point lead with a three-point run to lead 22-18. Between kills from Crook and a handful of Memphis errors, the Blazers fought back to serve for the set. A freeball from Memphis allowed for a towering Abby Jones kill to seal the match for the Blazers.

STANDOUTS
Despite a slow start, Crook tallied 15 kills, a team-high. After just two kills in the opening frame, Crook led the Blazers in each of the last three sets with four, four, and five kills in each set, respectively.

Reese led UAB through the first set with five kills on 10 swings. The Tennessee native finished with 13 kills and just two errors on 31 attempts, leading all qualified Blazers with a .355 hitting percentage. Reese got it done on both sides of the net, notching 10 digs, enough for her fourth double-double of the season. Reese also stuffed the Tigers' attack three times.

After her standout first set, Smock ended the night with six blocks, tying her career-high. Smock also garnered five errorless kills, the third most she's had this season.

Summer Snead joined Smock in the six-block club, picking hers up more consistently throughout the match. Snead also notched five kills, the most she's recorded in October.

Delaney Bowser led the Blazers with 16 digs and a pair of aces. This marked the seventh time she's led UAB in both statistical categories in a match this season.

Annastiina Tarkkanen recorded her fifth 30-kill match of the season. The Fin added a career-high three blocks, as well as five digs.

UP NEXT
UAB has the Halloween bye in the American, allowing the Blazers to rest briefly after the quick turnaround. UAB will be back on the road for a 1 p.m. match in New Orleans on Sunday, Nov. 2, taking on 1-9 Tulane.