Blazers Win Twice on Friday to Extend Winning Streak to Four

Friday, August 31

Martin, TN

7:30 PM

UAB

4-1

Florida A&M

0-5

UAB

Florida A&M

Blazers Win Twice on Friday to Extend Winning Streak to Four

8/31/2018 11:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 UAB vs. Central Arkansas Box Score UAB vs. Florida A&M Box Score

MARTIN, Tenn. – Playing two matches on Friday, the UAB volleyball team extended its winning to streak to four with wins over Central Arkansas and Florida A&M.

Sophomore Abby Carlile had a career day for the Blazers as she racked up 33 kills over the two matches. Her 19 kills against Central Arkansas set a new career high. Redshirt sophomore Emma Mitchell and setter Shelby Holderfield were keys to the UAB wins as Mitchell tallied 20 kills on the day and Holderfield put up 93 assists.

Mitchell's 15 kills against UCA broke her previous career high of seven she set against Charlotte last season. Alex Kells joined Carlile and Mitchell in setting new career highs with her 12 kills in the opening match with Central Arkansas.

"I'm very proud of our resiliency today," head coach Amy Pauly said. "Our win against UCA was the best offensive showing we have had yet and I credit that to the back row keeping us in system."

Match One: UAB vs. Central Arkansas (25-16, 27-25, 21-25, 26-28, 16-14)

After winning the first two matches against Central Arkansas, UAB dropped sets three and four to go to a fifth and deciding final set. The Blazers went down twice in the fifth but rallied twice to come from behind and win 16-14.

UAB (4-1) came out on fire hitting .424 percent in the opening set and won easily, 25-16. The offense continued to perform in the second with the Blazers hitting at .333 percent, getting the second set win 27-25. The Green and Gold dropped the third and fourth sets 21-25 and 26-28, allowing UCA to tie the match 2-2.

Relying on its defense, UAB forced UCA errors to claim the fifth and final set, winning the match 3-2.

Kells led UAB in service aces with three and in digs (14), setting new career highs in both categories.

"It was an extremely fun match to coach," Pauly said. "I couldn't have asked for a more mature and steady comeback in the fifth set. Today was a full team effort."

Match Two: UAB vs. Florida A&M (25-20, 25-12, 30-28)

Closing out day one of the Skyhawk Invitational, UAB returned to the court for a match with Florida A&M. The offense continued to play well as UAB hit .260 percent in the opening set and followed it up by hitting .379 percent and .304 in the second and third sets, respectively.

UAB hit .304 percent for the match while totaling 52 kills on 125 attacks.

Carlile and Mitchell stayed red hot as they racked up 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Victoria Young chipped in with nine kills and five blocks while Mitchell picked up 13 digs, setting a new career high for digs in a match.

The match was never in doubt as UAB won 25-20, 25-12, 30-28.

Up Next

UAB returns to the court on Saturday, Sept. 1 for two more matches against UT-Martin and Memphis. The day gets started with the Skyhawks at 1 p.m. before taking on the Tigers at 5 p.m.