UAB Falls To Mississippi State 3-2

Saturday, September 21

Nashville, Tenn.

10:00 AM

UAB

Mississippi State

UAB Falls To Mississippi State 3-2

9/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Sept. 21, 2013

Final Stats | Final Stats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The UAB volleyball team (11-4) lost a close five-set match to Mississippi State (8-5), 3-2. The Blazers played five sets for just the second time this season.

Leading UAB with 24 kills was sophomore Sam Skinner, while juniors Sara Rishell and Kiriana Hirini added 15 and 13 kills respectively. Hirini notched her first double-double of the season, adding 10 digs. Senior Becca Howard dished out 54 assists in the match, tying her previous-career best.

On defense, senior Rachel Fairbanks collected 25 digs and Rishell led the Blazers with seven blocks against the Bulldogs.

The Blazers were on the board first after posting a 25-20 first set win. It was a tight set with the teams trading points and tying it up 11 times. UAB pulled away after a 4-0 run to take a 22-18 lead and went on to win the set.

Mississippi State bounced back to win the next two sets. In the second, the Bulldogs had the lead until UAB tied it up at 21-21 with a 6-2 run. Mississippi State called a timeout and then rattled off two-straight points to give it a 23-21 lead and eventually win the set 25-23.

The third set was another close one, with 11 ties once again. The Bulldogs put together five-straight points to give them a 21-16 lead. They closed out the set with a 25-19 win to go up 2-1.

UAB countered with a win in the fourth set to force a tiebreaking fifth set. The teams battled back and forth until UAB was able to take a slight 18-16 advantage with two kills from sophomore Sam Skinner. The Blazers held onto the lead to win 25-20.

The Blazers will conclude play in the Bruin Classic later today when they face Belmont at 6 p.m. CT.

For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UAB_VB.