The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
SMU
UAB Edged By SMU, 3-2
10/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 22, 2005
DALLAS, Texas -- Playing its first ever match against SMU, the UAB volleyball team fought hard, but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the Mustangs Friday evening at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. The Blazers (13-5, 4-4 C-USA) finally dropped a five-game match after winning their first four, while SMU (9-11, 5-3) won its fifth-consecutive home contest.
The Blazers were led by Ivana Bozic who contributed another 20+ kill match for UAB. The freshman finished with 22 putaways to lead all players, and added 16 digs. Aleksandra Vujovic (17 kills, 21 digs), Isabel Oquendo (13 kills, 11 digs), and Nevena Stefanov (50 assists, 10 digs) also notched double-doubles for the Blazers in a losing effort. Nicole Bowland was again outstanding for UAB on the back row, recording a career-high for the second-straight match with 33 digs to lead all players. SMU was paced by Caitlin Rainbird (19 kills, 16 digs) and Rachel Giubilato (19 kills, 20 digs).
After falling by a score of 30-23 to open the match in game one, UAB fought back for a 30-25 victory in game two to tie the match. But SMU regained control with a 30-27 win in game three to again take the lead.
But once again, the Blazers showed determination, fighting off an elimination game and forcing a fifth game thanks to another 30-25 win in game four. But the Mustangs were too much to handle playing on their home court, finishing off the Blazers, 15-10 in game five.
The Blazers return to action Sunday at Tulsa when they face the Golden Hurricane in a 2 p.m. showdown.
