The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
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UTEP
Volleyball Defeats UTEP In Home Opener Sunday
9/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Playing on its home floor for the first time this season, the UAB volleyball team defeated UTEP, 3-1 (30-26, 32-30, 25-30, 30-21), in Bartow Arena Sunday afternoon. Juniors Ivana Bozic and Nevena Stefanov each finished with double-doubles against the Miners. UAB is now 9-6 (1-2 C-USA), while UTEP drops to 6-8 (0-3 C-USA).
Four Blazers finished with double-figures in digs to help hold UTEP to .150 hitting for the match.
"Defensively, I thought we were really sharp today," said UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith. "I think today was the first time all year that we had four players with double figures in kills, so overall I'm pleased with how the girls played today."
Bozic finished with a match-high 19 kills and 21 digs to go along with four service aces. Stefanov had 56 assists in her second match back from injury, in addition to making 10 digs on the defensive end. Stefanov also notched seven kills.
"Nevena played really well today," Messersmith said. "Offensively, we just seemed to have a better flow today, still not where it needs to be, but better."
Junior Casey Dent hit .426 with 13 kills on 26 attempts. Dent also had two total blocks in the match.
Senior Brianna Galvin made 17 digs to take over fourth place on the school's all-time career digs list. Junior Aleksandra Vujovic also finished with 17 digs.
Senior outside hitter Fernanda Domingos had 12 kills and eight digs, while senior middle blocker Shaniquwa Cooper hit .409 for the match with 11 kills and two total blocks.
"I still think we lacked emotion at times today and we aren't totally in synch yet offensively," Messersmith said. "This is a good win for us to get and hopefully we use it to build on."
UTEP was led by Amy Sanders who recorded 19 kills and 15 digs. Aiden Mooney had a match-high eight block assists to contribute to the Miners' 11 total blocks.
The Blazers will next be in action on Tuesday when they travel to play at Mercer at 7 p.m.
