The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
FIU
Volleyball Falls To FIU, 3-1
10/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MIAMI, Fla. – Senior Kiriana Hirini recorded a team-high 11 kills as the UAB volleyball team fell to FIU, 3-1, on the road Sunday afternoon. The Blazers continue Conference USA play at home next weekend.
UAB (4-15, 1-3 C-USA) was down early after FIU (4-13, 1-3 C-USA) won the first set, 25-13. The Panthers were strong offensively in the opening set, hitting .476 to start the match.
The Blazers responded in the second set, hitting a .333 attack percentage as a team. Hirini and fellow senior Leslie Ekpe opened the set with back-to-back kills. UAB jumped out to an 11-8 lead, but FIU fought back to tie it up 11-11.
The teams then traded points, until 14-14 when the Blazers used a 4-0 run to pull away from the Panthers. UAB held on to win the set 25-18 and tie the match up at 1-1 heading into the break.
It was a close third set from the beginning. The teams were not separated by more than three points until FIU was able to take a 14-10 lead and force the Blazers to call a timeout. UAB climbed its way back into the set, eventually closing the gap to 21-20 but FIU was able to hold on and win 25-23 to head to the fourth set up 2-1.
FIU opened the fourth set strong with a 5-0 run and eventually lead 9-4 as the Blazers called a timeout. The Panthers kept putting pressure on UAB as they stretched the lead to 16-9 and held on to secure the match with a 25-16 win.
Along with Hirini, junior Sydney Nelson finished with double-digit kills recording 10 in the match. Seniors Sara Rishell and Bethanie Thomas added nine and eight kills, respectively. Sophomore Amber Treace led the offense with 32 assists.
Defensively, Thomas and freshman Alexis Howell had seven digs and Hirini finished with a team-leading three blocks.
UAB will return home to host UTEP on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. CT and UTSA on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 12 p.m. CT.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UAB_VB.
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