The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
USF
Blazers Top USF 3-1
11/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 1, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB (12-14, 5-4 Conference USA) defeated USF 3-1 Saturday evening at Bartow Arena in a battle between two teams that were tied for sixth place in the Conference USA standings.
Sophomore outside/right side hitter Lindsay Carnohan posted her fourth double-double of the season, recording a career-high 19 kills to go along with 11 digs and a career-high 22 points. Three other Blazers posted double-doubles in the match, including sophomore outside hitter Breanne Swenson who recorded her team-leading 12th with 15 kills and 16 digs to go along with 17 points, two total blocks and a .308 hitting percentage; senior outside hitter Martina Shields who recorded her 11th of the season with 18 kills and 19 digs to go along with 19 points and two total blocks; senior middle blocker Karen Boyd who had her seventh with 10 kills and 14 digs to go along with 14 points, four total blocks, two service aces and a match-high .318 hitting percentage; and freshman setter Bilun Gunal who posted her fourth with 56 assists and 10 digs.
"Being tied with them (USF) in the conference standings, this was a must win," said UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne. "We couldn't of had it play out better with the match being at home. We struggled tonight. I don't think we played as well as we did last weekend. I was really proud of the team effort. I think we applied some of the lessons we learned in our five-game losses. They fought hard and were very determined, and they played with a lot of heart. It was a great win."
By doubling the Bulls kill total in the first game 18-9 and outhitting USF .297-.103, the Blazers were able to cruise to an easy 30-24 victory.
Leading by four, 12-8, early in game two, the Bulls allowed the Blazers to take a one-point lead, 15-14, using a 7-2 run to close the gap. USF (12-14, 5-4 C-USA) then proceeded to amass an eight-point lead on UAB, 28-20. A small comeback by the Blazers challenged the Bulls lead, but never took it away as USF won the game 30-26.
Trailing by only two, 12-10, the Blazers began dominating the third game with a 16-3 run, including 11 unanswered points, to take a 28-13 lead on the Bulls. USF responded with nine-straight points of its own, but the lead was too much to overcome and UAB prevailed 30-23.
A battle with 12 ties, the Bulls sat on game point in game four, 29-27, but couldn't convert, and four-straight points by UAB gave the Blazers the final victory of the match 31-29.
Senior middle blocker Bonnye Glover had 20.5 points on 16 kills and six total blocks to lead USF. Senior setter Melayne Wootan added 49 assists and 10 digs for the Bulls.
UAB returns to Bartow Arena Tuesday for an out-of-conference match against Georgia State at 7 p.m.
