The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Miami (Oh)
Blazers Fall to Miami (OH) 3-0
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
OXFORD, Ohio - Junior Sydney Nelson recorded 12 kills to lead the UAB volleyball team in a 3-0 loss to Miami (OH) on Saturday morning. The Blazers will face IUPUI in its final match of the Miami (OH) Invitational.
UAB (3-10) and Miami (7-4) were evenly matched with the teams recording 41 and 43 kills, respectively. The difference came behind the service line, where the Blazers struggled with 10 service errors and the Redhawks connected on seven aces.
Along with Nelson, senior Sara Rishell finished with double figure kills. She put down 11 with just two errors for a .429 attach percentage. Sophomore setter Amber Treace continued her strong play with 31 assists and a career-high five kills.
The Blazers finished with a total of 6.0 blocks. Rishell led the team with four blocks, while Treace, Nelson and senior Bethanie Thomas each added two. Freshman Alexis Howell picked up 15 digs for the Blazers' defensive unit.
It was a close match from the very first set, which had to use extra points after 14 ties and seven lead changes. UAB had its largest lead of the set at 16-10 after a 5-1 run, but Miami would not go away as it tied the set up at 18-18.
The teams traded points from there, with 10 of the 14 ties during that set. A kill by Nelson tied it up at 29-29, but Miami went back ahead after a kill by Meg Riley. Then an error on the Blazers led to the 31-29 win for the Redhawks.
The second set proved to be another battle for both teams. A service ace by sophomore Emma Schroer tied it up at 17-17 for the Blazers. UAB then took the lead 18-17 after an error on Miami. However, a 4-0 run by the Redhawks would swing the momentum back in their favor. Miami held on to the lead to finish the second set 25-20 and lead 2-0 in the match.
UAB found itself down early in the second set, 11-6, but used a 4-0 to cut the lead to three (14-11) and force Miami to call a timeout. The Blazers would pull within two points, but could not get any closer as Miami put together several runs to stretch its lead and take the set 25-18.
The Blazers will play IUPUI in their final match of the Miami (OH) Invitational at 3:30 p.m. CT on Saturday.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UAB_VB.
