Blazers Fall to Tigers in Alabama Showdown Opener

Thursday, September 18

Birmingham, AL

3:30 p.m.

UAB

6-4,0-0American

Auburn

7-2,0-0SEC

UAB

Auburn

Blazers Fall to Tigers in Alabama Showdown Opener

9/18/2025 5:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB Volleyball fell in straight sets to Auburn to start the Alabama Showdown at Samford. The dominant Tigers offense powered through the Blazers' back row, as Auburn hit .398 on the match with 45 kills.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Blazers kept up with the Tigers throughout the first set, tying the set at 10 and remaining within three points until a 7-3 Auburn run gave the Tigers set point at 24-18. Two UAB points fended off Auburn for a little while; however, Auburn's Kate Mansfield finished the set with a kill. Abby Jones and Kennedy Vaughn led the set for the Blazers with five and four kills, respectively.

Auburn pulled away from the Blazers early in the second set. A 13-2 run, including six straight points, gave Auburn a 20-9 lead in the frame. After a 3-1 run by the Blazers, Auburn responded with a 4-1 run to close the set, thanks to three Blazer errors. Auburn hit .469 in the set, compared to UAB's .133, driving the Tigers to an easy set win.

The Tigers took a 6-0 lead to open the third set and never looked back. The Blazers were able to pull within three points at one point; however, a 12-4 run by Auburn all but sealed the match for the Tigers. UAB dug its own hole with 13 errors in the set.

STANDOUTS
Vaughn set a career high with nine kills in her first career match in the full rotation. Lia Beverly and Addyson Smock each saw an uptick in attack attempts with nine and 10, respectively. Beverly and Smock each tallied three kills in the match.

Meg Jarrett led the Blazers with eight digs. Annastiina Tarkkanen and Riley Lovell split setting duties, each with 13 assists.

NOTABLES

Vaughn's nine kills were a career high.
Kennedy Jones made her first career appearance, registering two blocks and one attempt.

UP NEXT
The Blazers are right back at the Pete Hanna Center tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. to face the South Alabama Jaguars. The Jaguars are 4-4 entering the weekend and will face tournament hosts Samford prior to facing the Blazers.