The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Creighton
Blazers Zing Through Creighton Classic, Improve To 10-2
9/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. ---- The Blazers knocked off a pair of Missouri Valley Conference opponents in Drake and Creighton to claim the Creighton Classic title on Saturday evening at the D.J. Sokol Arena.
With three victories over the weekend, UAB improved to 10-2 on the season, the best start through 12 games since 2005.
Drake dropped to 3-10, while Creighton falls to 6-7.
Match 1: UAB 3, Drake 0
The Blazers used a 13-2 run in the first set and never looked back, leading the match nearly wire-to-wire in a 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-14) sweep of the Drake Bulldogs.
Setter Alison Woods posted her fourth double-double of the season, dishing out 19 helpers along with a 10-dig effort. Fellow setter Becca Howardwas not far behind her co-pilot in flying the UAB offense, with 17 assists and seven digs.
Adding to her career digs record at UAB was libero Heather Thomas, who corralled a match-high 24 digs. She added two service aces, both taking place in the opening run of the first set, helping the Blazers cruise past the Bulldogs.
Sam Serley rocketed 10 kills, hitting at a .600 clip, with four blocks for a team-best 13 points, while Ashley Rickshit .438 (8K-1E-16TA) in the victory.
Match 2: UAB 3, Creighton 1
The Blazers received double-doubles from Kate Morrelland Woods to help defeat the Creighton Bluejays to sweep the Creighton Classic in the final match of the tournament.
Morrell nailed down 11 kills, with 16 digs, and Woods added 22 assists and 15 digs.
Lost in the shuffle was the play of middle blocker Michele Simmons. The junior registered a career-best attacking clip of .600. Simmons was also one kill shy of resetting her personal best, with 12 on the night.
Thomas added 24 digs to top the team, which she did in all three matches of the tournament.
NEXT UP: The Blazers open up conference play this Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Memphis. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CT.
