The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Georgia State
Volleyball Blocks Past Georgia State, 3-1
8/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB volleyball team put up 14 blocks to propel past Georgia State, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at the Pete Hanna Center. Six different players recorded blocks for the Blazers.
UAB improved to 2-1 on the season and in the UAB/Samford Tournament, while Georgia State dropped to 1-2. The Blazers were down early after falling in the first set, 26-24, but rebounded to win the next three.
“It was a nice win today,” said head coach Kerry Messersmith. “We were hoping to come out of the tournament 3-0, but 2-1 is a good start for a team with so many newcomers.”
Junior Sydney Nelson had a solid game with a match-high 18 kills, while hitting a clip of .316. She also finished with three blocks assists. Senior Sara Rishell added nine kills and led the team with eight blocks (two solo, six assists).
Sophomore Amber Treace ran the offense at setter for the Blazers, dishing out 40 assists.
“I think Amber (Treace) did a really nice job running our offense,” Messersmith remarked. “We were running really smooth today. Obviously Sydney Nelson had a great day and Alexis Howell did as well. She has really been steadily improving.”
Howell led UAB’s defensive unit with a career-best 20 digs. Senior Bethanie Thomas added eight digs and Treace and Gabby Deshotel each had seven.
“Our blocking again was one of our strengths. That is something we have hung our hat on the last several years and we did not disappoint with that today. I think they did a great job.”
Along with Rishell’s eight blocks, senior Leslie Ekpe added a UAB career-best six block assists, Treace finished with four block assists and Nelson and Thomas each had three.
UAB held to the Panthers to just .084 hitting percentage, forcing Georgia State into 33 errors on the day. Eliza Zachary, who tallied 11 kills, led the Panthers.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UAB_VB.
