Blazers Upset Bulls To Climb American Standings

Friday, November 7

Birmingham, Ala.

7:00 p.m.

UAB

12-14,5-9American

South Florida

14-10,10-3American

South Fla.

UAB

Blazers Upset Bulls To Climb American Standings

11/7/2025 10:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB Volleyball pulled within half a game of an American Conference Championship spot with a 3-1 upset win over South Florida. Jorda Crook led the Blazers with a 21-kill, five-block performance while hitting .364. After South Florida's offense dominated the first set, UAB responded with three consecutive sets, siding out at 65% or better. The service game was critical in the Blazers' victory, with UAB netting 19 points from the back line.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulls pulled out to a 12-6 lead following three straight kills. South Florida continued to pull away, extending its lead to nine at its largest when it served for the set at 24-15. The Blazers attempted a comeback with a four-point run, including two Annastiina Tarkkanen aces. However, a USF kill out of a timeout clinched the opening set for the Bulls. Four Bulls had four kills in the set as USF hit .412 in the frame.

UAB turned the tables quickly, dominating on both sides of the ball in the second set. UAB sided out on 12 of 15 opportunities, while only recording one attack error in the set. The serving swing was prominent in set two as the Blazers recorded five aces and just one service error, while South Florida lost six points on their own serves without an ace. UAB used a 9-1 run in the middle of the set to take a 15-8 lead, extending it to 10 with a set-clinching kill from Summer Snead.

Set three was a tale of runs as South Florida pulled ahead to an 11-8 lead with a four-point run, quickly squashed by a 4-0 run by UAB to force a USF timeout. After the Bulls retook the lead, UAB returned with a three-point run to make USF use its second time out. Once again, USF tied, but another four-point run by UAB put the Blazers up 23-19. Kills from Crook and Abby Jones wrapped up the set, giving UAB the lead after three sets. Crook finished the set with a match-high seven kills. Jones recorded four errorless kills on nine attempts.

The Blazers came out on fire in the third set, taking a 5-1 lead with a pair of Mia Reese kills. Crook and Jones continued to dominate the USF back row with the duo combining for nine kills in the set. An 11-5 Blazer lead forced another early Bull timeout. South Florida began chipping away at the UAB lead multiple times throughout the set, closing within four points seven times. UAB stood strong against the USF comeback attempts with Reese continuing to increase her kill tally on the night. As UAB served for the match, USF clawed back with a kill and back-to-back Blazer errors, pulling within one point. A towering Addyson Smock kill off of a USF overpass clinched the victory for the Blazers.

STANDOUTS
Crook continued her dominance with 21 kills and her best hitting percentage of the American season at .364. Crook upped her average over the Blazers' win streak to 5.00 kills per set. Crook tied her season-high with five total blocks.

Annastiina Tarkkanen assisted on 39 Blazer kills, her third straight match with 35 or more helpers. Tarkkanen got the job done with her serves as well, tallying a career-high six aces. Tarkkanen dig up 10 USF attacks, recording her fourth double-double of the season.

Reese notched her second straight double-double and third along the UAB win streak. The junior recorded 10 kills for the 11th time in American play this season. Reese finished the night with 10 kills and a match-high 13 digs.

Snead tallied a match-high seven total blocks, her third time eclipsing the mark this season. Snead recorded seven kills on 11 attempts.

UP NEXT
UAB awaits Sunday's conference results to know its true standing in the American heading into the final week of conference play. No matter the Blazers' standing, UAB makes a trip to the Carolinas, visiting East Carolina on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. CT, before wrapping the regular season with a 1 p.m. CT match at Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 16.