The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
East Carolina
Blazers Sweep East Carolina In Sunday Volleyball Action
10/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 11, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Andrea Lalic tallied 15 kills and hit .522 Sunday afternoon to lead the UAB volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-13) sweep of East Carolina in Conference USA action at Bartow Arena.
As a team, the Blazers hit for a .348 percentage, their highest of the season, as they improved their record to 10-10 (4-2 C-USA). East Carolina dropped to 8-11 (1-6 C-USA) with the loss, suffering its fourth straight defeat.
The Blazers are home again Tuesday at 7 p.m. with a non-conference match against Tennessee State before going on the road for four in a row.
In Sunday's contest, Sam Serley added eight kills for UAB on a match-best .700 attack percentage, while Blazer setter Alison Woods dished out a match-high 32 assists. Jordan McDonald led all players with 11 digs.
UAB only ever trailed once Sunday, and it was following the first point of the match.
After UAB built a seven-point advantage early in the first set, East Carolina trimmed that lead all the way to one at 19-18. But UAB closed the frame the same way it had started, winning six of the final seven points. With the Blazers leading 22-19, a trio of kills from Lalic finished the set off.
UAB led comfortably throughout the second set, as well. The Blazers hit .542 in the frame, led by Lalic, who was a perfect 5-for-5 on attack attempts. Britney Roper and Bobbie Jo Stall collected six kills each for East Carolina, but the Pirates never led. UAB gradually opened up its advantage, building its largest margin at 24-15 on a kill by Michelle Uzoh. ECU then managed back-to-back points to stay alive before a Pirate service error brought the set to a close.
Roper and Stall posted nine kills each for the match to lead East Carolina, offensively. Setter Hannah Fenker recorded 23 assists for the Pirates and also tied for team-high honors with seven digs, joining libero Stephanie Turner.
Out of the intermission, UAB closed the match with its most dominating set of the afternoon. Lalic and Serley managed four kills each as the Blazers out-hit East Carolina, .379 to .125. Much like the first set, three straight kills ended it, this time with two coming from Lalic and one from Serley. The final 12-point margin was the largest the Blazers enjoyed at any point in the match.
UAB finished the day with six service aces, including two each by Lalic and Alison Woods. The Blazers also totaled six blocks, led by three each from Uzoh and McDonald.
