UAB Sweeps North Dakota and Troy on Day Two of the Big Orange Bash

Saturday, September 8

Clemson, SC

10:00 AM

UAB

7-3

North Dakota

5-4

UAB

North Dakota

UAB Sweeps North Dakota and Troy on Day Two of the Big Orange Bash

9/8/2018 5:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 UAB vs. North Dakota Box Score UAB vs. Troy Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – History was made Saturday as the UAB volleyball team earned its 700th win in program history, beating North Dakota 3-0. The Blazers carried that momentum into their afternoon match against Troy, sweeping their in-state rival to close out the Big Orange Bash.

Alex Kells played a big role in both wins as she tallied 22 kills on the day while hitting .258. The Toronto, Canada native picked up 16 digs and two blocks over the two matches. Fellow outside hitter Emma Mitchell had a big day as well with 19 kills, a .282 hitting percentage, 20 digs and four blocks.

"Alex and Emma both did an amazing job of handling the ball and being a six rotation outside all weekend," head coach Amy Pauly said. "Kells stepped up in tonight's match against Troy both defensively and offensively. She is an intelligent kid who knows how to move the ball and pick great spots as a blocker."

UAB battled back-and-forth with North Dakota in the opening match of the day, winning a tight first set 29-27. The first set had four lead changes and saw the Blazers fight off set point twice to claim the win.

The Blazers picked up 17 kills in the first set and hit .235 percent while using 11 kills and a stingy defensive effort in the second to claim a 25-15 win. UAB wrapped up the match with a 25-21 win in the third set.

Emma Mitchell and Alex Kells picked up 11 and 10 kills, respectively, for the Green and Gold while Shelby Holderfield tallied 34 assists. Emily Martinez led the team with 14 digs and three service aces.

However, it was the UAB defense that led the charge as they held North Dakota to a .071 hitting percentage for the match. North Dakota (5-4) was held to a .146 hitting percentage in the first set, -.032 in the second and .059 in the third set.

"We focused on not playing an emotional match today and I think that it showed when we steadied after our first match," Paul said. "We had a much better serve and pass game and that helped create some things on the offensive end. I love that when one thing isn't clicking offensively we have the fire power to put the ball someplace else.

"I'm so honored to coach the group that reached the 700-win milestone," Pauly said. "First of all, reaching the mark speaks to the history and tradition of excellence the UAB volleyball program has and it is very humbling. It's humbling to the girls as they are reminded that one of the main reasons we play is to honor those that played before us."

UAB rode the momentum of its sweep over North Dakota and turned it into a sweep of in-state rival Troy, 25-17, 27-25, 25-19.

Again it was Kells and Mitchell stepping up on the offensive end as Kells picked up 12 kills, eight digs and a block while hitting .290 percent. Mitchell scored eight kills on a .273 hitting percentage. The Charlotte native had 10 digs and two blocks.

UAB was in control of the opening set as it held the Trojans to a .061 hitting percentage while the Green and Gold hit .321. It was a tight second set but the Blazers took the win 27-25 as the defense held Troy to a .184 hit percentage.

Troy (4-5) struggled in the third set as UAB's defense continued its stifling play, holding them to a .091 hitting percentage.

"It's great to beat another in-state opponent," Pauly said. "You could tell in the atmosphere that both teams wanted to win. It was an exciting match to compete in."

Up Next

UAB heads north to East Lansing, Mich. to play in the Auto Insurance Owners Spartan Invitational. The three game tournament runs September 14-15.