The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Alabama
Blazers Top South Alabama 3-0
9/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB (2-6) defeated South Alabama 3-0 in volleyball action Friday evening at the Union State Bank/Samford Invitational hosted at Seibert Hall on the Samford University campus.
UAB trailed nearly the entire way in game one, but battled to take a 23-22 lead late and held on for a 30-27 decision.
South Alabama (1-4) used a 13-0 run to get out to a 20-10 advantage in game two, but UAB refused to go away and eventually tied the score at 29. After fending off two game points by the Jaguars, UAB held on for a 34-32 victory.
After being tied at 18 apiece in game three, the Blazers took a 19-18 advantage and never looked back en route to a 30-22 win.
Sophomore outside hitter Breanne Swenson led UAB with her team-leading fourth double-double of the season, recording 17.5 points on 13 kills, three service aces and three total blocks to go along with 10 digs. Senior outside hitter Martina Shields led the match in kills with 15 while hitting for .407 and posting six digs for the Blazers. Senior middle blocker Karen Boyd added 11 kills on a .500 hitting percentage and freshman setter Jenna Link posted 41 assists for UAB.
"This win felt really, really good," said UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne. "We had been fighting hard and the team really needed this confidence boost. I thought we had real good, consistent play. The team stayed persistent throughout the match. I'm very pleased with the performance. We have still have a lot of areas to improve on, but I'm very happy with the win."
Junior right side hitter Kim Courchesne had 11 kills and seven digs while hitting for .321 to lead South Alabama. Junior setter Michelle Landa added 25 assists for the Jaguars.
UAB continues play at the Union State Bank/Samford Invitational Saturday as the Blazers take on Western Carolina at 10 a.m. and close the tournament against Samford at 5:30 p.m.
