The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Welcomes Middle Tennessee In Mid-Week Match
10/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
UAB (4-17, 1-5 C-USA) vs. Middle Tennessee (6-14, 2-4 C-USA)
Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. CT
Birmingham, Ala. - Bartow Arena
Coverage: Live Stats | Watch
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB volleyball team plays host to Middle Tennessee in a mid-week Conference USA match on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The Blazers and Blue Raiders are slated to begin at 7 p.m. CT.
UAB (4-17, 1-5 C-USA) will have a quick turnaround after playing two Conference USA matches this past weekend. The Blazers fell to UTEP in a close match that spanned five sets.
The Blazers dropped a 3-0 match to C-USA leader UTSA on Sunday. In Friday's match, UAB recorded a season-best 16 blocks against the Miners. Senior Kiriana Hirini led the team with nine (2 solo, 7 assists).
UAB Among Conference USA
The Blazers are leading the conference in blocks by opponents, allowing just 1.75 blocks per set. UAB has also been strong on the block since conference play started, ranking fourth in the league with 2.43 blocks per set through six matches.
The Blazers had a season-high 16 blocks against UTEP. Individually, senior Sara Rishell is 10th in hitting percentage among conference players. Rishell is hitting a clip of .349 so far.
Series History
UAB and Middle Tennessee are meeting for the 18th time in series history. The two teams met last season when the Blue Raiders joined Conference USA. Middle Tennesse took the win, 3-1, in Murfressboro, Tenn. UAB's last win against MT came at home when the Blazers defeated the Blue Raiders, 3-1, on Oct. 16, 2012.
Scouting the Opposition
Middle Tennessee (6-14, 2-4 C-USA) comes into Tuesday's match having lost its last three in conference play. The Blue Raiders most recently fell to UTEP, 3-1, at home. Chelsea Ross is leading the attack for Middle Tennessee, averaging 4.14 kills per set. Her mark ranks third among C-USA players.
Defensively, Jacquelin Lux is averaging 3.72 digs per set to rank seventh in C-USA. Monet Marshall has recorded 69 blocks so far to average 1.01 blocks per set to help Middle Tennessee average 2.27 blocks per set.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UAB_VB.
