The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Team Falls To TCU
10/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 25, 2002
FORT WORTH, Texas - UAB (10-14, 3-4 Conference USA) fell to TCU (10-12, 2-4 C-USA) by a 3-0 count Friday evening in Conference USA volleyball action at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The loss broke a three match winning streak for the Blazers.
Game one looked as though it would be close as the teams traded points and shared ties for much of the first round. However, behind the serving of freshman Carissa Mills and kills from senior Stephanie Watson the Frogs were able to race out to a 24-18 lead. UAB was able to score only one more point to the Frogs' next six, as TCU claimed the first game 30-19.
TCU raced out of the blocks in the game two, pulling ahead by as many as eight several times. In the late going, the Blazers were unable to get any closer than seven and the Frogs, helped by a .350 team hitting percentage, took the second game by a score of 30-22.
The third game proved to be the nail biter. UAB was able to get up on TCU after breaking a 7-7 tie, and stretch it to as many as three when a serve by junior middle blocker Karen Boyd dribbled over the far side of the net for an ace. The Frogs refused to let this one get away and made a run of their own, jumping out to a six-point lead at 25-19. The Blazers fought until the very end, cutting the TCU lead down to a single point at 28-27. But a kill by Mills, followed by a block from freshman Hayley Harmon and sophomore Dominika Szabo sealed the 30-27 game-three win for the Frogs.
"We really struggled offensively tonight," said UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne. "This was a slight setback. The team is staying positive and we look forward to facing Houston Saturday. We will certainly need to improve our offensive performance in tomorrow's match."
Senior middle blocker Allison Magner led the Blazers with 12 kills and four blocks, while hitting for .348. Senior ride side hitter Kristi posted her third double-double of the season for UAB, as she had 10 kills and 11 digs, while hitting for .304. Senior setter Dina Katsoulis added 33 assists for the Blazers.
Szabo led the Frogs with 12 kills on 28 attacks, while junior Tori Barlow posted 35 assists.
UAB will face Houston Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Hofheinz Pavilion.
