The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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UTEP
Blazers Lose A Pair Of Matches At Fiesta Bowl Tournament
9/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 6, 2003
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - UAB (1-6) lost a pair of matches, falling to the University of San Francisco 3-0 and losing to UTEP 3-2 in volleyball action Saturday at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament hosted by Northern Arizona.
UAB lost a 30-16, 30-23, 25-30, 28-30, 15-10 decision to UTEP (3-3) in the Blazers' final match of the tournament. UAB was led by senior outside hitter Martina Shields who recorded her second double-double of the tournament with 25 kills and 18 digs. Senior middle blocker Karen Boyd also posted a double-double for the Blazers with 13 kills and 12 digs, while hitting for .357 and recording four total blocks. Freshman setter Jenna Link added 51 assists for UAB.
UTEP was led by senior outside hitter Jennifer Abbruzzese who had 20 kills, 27 digs, three total blocks, a .422 hitting percentage and five service aces. Freshman setter Krystal Gabriel added 45 assists for UTEP.
San Francisco (7-0) defeated UAB 30-19, 30-16, 30-13 in the Blazers' first match of the day. Shields led UAB with seven kills and nine digs. Link and freshman setter Bilun Gunal posted 12 and 11 assists respectively.
The Dons were led by senior outside hitter Brittanie Budinger who recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 18 digs to go along with a .400 hitting percentage and three total blocks. Senior setter April Scoggin added 22 assists for San Francisco.
"We are just not getting very good offensive production across the board," said UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne. "We are struggling to find a team rhythm. We need to get some of our young players experienced as we try to improve."
UAB will next compete in the State Farm/Samford Invitational in Birmingham, Ala. Friday-Saturday. The Blazers open the tournament Friday against South Alabama at 4:30 p.m.
