The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Heads To Marshall, ECU
10/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 19, 2012
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The UAB volleyball team will put its six-match win streak on the line on the road this weekend with a pair of Conference USA contests. The Blazers will first compete against Marshall on Friday at 6 p.m. CT before playing East Carolina on Sunday at Noon CT.
UAB (13-11, 5-3 C-USA || Marshall (16-6, 6-2) || East Carolina (1-18, 0-8)
Scouting UAB
UAB has found its stride in recent games, winning six in a row, with four of the victories coming in league play. The Blazers currently sit fourth in the conference standings at 5-3, just one game behind Friday's opponent Marshall.
On the season, UAB ranks in the top three in Conference USA in blocks per set (1st/2.46), hitting percentage (3rd/.209), opponent's hitting percentage (3rd/.186) and digs per set (3rd/16.06).
Individually, middle blocker Sam Serley has put up lofty numbers during her senior campaign. Coming off Tuesday's match in which she became the ninth player in C-USA history to record 500 career blocks, Serley leads the league in hitting percentage (.374) and blocks per set (1.37). Not only does Serley top C-USA in both those statistics in overall stats, she does in conference only stats as well.
Libero Rachel Fairbanks ranks second in the conference in digs per set with 4.83, while Alison Woods leads the team in assists with 636 for the season (6.84 per set).
Scouting Marshall
Marshall has defended its home court extremely well in 2012, posting a perfect 9-0 record inside the Cam Henderson Center. At 6-2 vs. C-USA teams, the Thundering Herd currently ranks third in the league standings.
Leading the Herd offense has been outside hitter Laura Der. The junior is connecting for a team-best 4.23 kills per set, while teammate Katy Schad is putting down 3.45 kills per frame.
Running the offense has been setter Sammie Bane, who dished out 10.43 assists per set, good for third in the conference.
On defense, Marshall has done a stellar job of controlling the opponent's attack. Teams are hitting just .168 against the Herd, in part thanks to Dorothy Rahal averaging 4.55 digs per set in the back row.
Scouting East Carolina
The Pirates have struggled throughout the 2012 season, owning an overall record of 1-18 and 0-8 in league play.
ECU's go to player on the attack has been Nicole Willis, who posts 3.54 kills per set for the season, while Hannah Allgood is connected at a rate of 1.99 kills per set.
On defense, four players are averaging more than two digs per set, led by Shelby Beasley who corrals 4.22
