The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Friday, August 30
Muncie, Ind.
9 a.m.
UAB
0-2
0
at
3
Ball State
1-1
1
2
3
F
UAB
29
23
20
0
Ball St.
31
25
25
3
Blazers Hang Tough in Season Opening Ball State Tournament
8/30/2019 6:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The UAB volleyball team opened the 2019 season at the Ball State Tournament, dropping a pair of matches to host Ball State and USF in Worthen Arena on Friday. Despite trailing by just nine points combined in all three sets, UAB was swept by Ball State, 3-0. The Blazers then took the first set in the second match of the day, but USF went on to claim the match, 3-1.
Player Spotlight
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Fernanda Maida shined in her first collegiate action, leading the team with 26 kills throughout the two contests. The Cochabamba, Bolivia, native swatted seven kills through the Cardinal defense in her first set as a Blazer, finishing match one with 14 total kills to lead both rosters in the category. In match two, Maida tied for the team lead with 12 kills as well.
Match 1: Ball State 3, UAB 0 (31-29, 25-23, 25-20)
UAB and Ball State were neck-and-neck throughout each set, particularly the first as neither side could separate more than four points before the Cardinals clinched the match in overtime.
The second set was much of the same as the Blazers earned the largest scoring margin of the set with a five-point lead early before Ball State closed out the set on a five-point run for the win.
Similar to the second set, the Cardinals used a four-point run late in the set to create separation, taking the set and ultimately clinching the win.
Outside of Maida's solid performance, UAB held the blocking advantage with eight in the match to Ball State's three. Freshman middle blocker Kiana Mack led the way on that front with five total in the match.
Match 2: USF 3, UAB 1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22)
The Blazers came out firing in match two, stringing together short bursts of two and three points to down the Bulls, 25-21. USF returned the favor in set two, pulling ahead early and not looking back for the 25-17 win. Sets three and four were more like match one as the largest margin between the two sides was four points with USF coming out on top in both sets to clinch the match.
As a unit, UAB made the most of its serving opportunities, coming away with eight aces to USF's three in the match. Individually, freshman setter Rachel Morse showed out by leading both sides in set assists with 31 to go with a pair of service aces and eight digs. Mack carried her early success into match two, tying Maida for the team lead with 12 kills in the match.
Up Next
UAB will come home for its next competition as the Blazers host in-state rival Alabama State for their home opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Bartow Arena. Individual game tickets are now on sale for $5 per adult and $3 per youth. Live stat and streaming information will be provided on a later date. Coverage information such as streaming and live stats will be provided on a later date.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB volleyball, men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter or Instagram (@UAB_VB).
Player Spotlight
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Fernanda Maida shined in her first collegiate action, leading the team with 26 kills throughout the two contests. The Cochabamba, Bolivia, native swatted seven kills through the Cardinal defense in her first set as a Blazer, finishing match one with 14 total kills to lead both rosters in the category. In match two, Maida tied for the team lead with 12 kills as well.
Match 1: Ball State 3, UAB 0 (31-29, 25-23, 25-20)
UAB and Ball State were neck-and-neck throughout each set, particularly the first as neither side could separate more than four points before the Cardinals clinched the match in overtime.
The second set was much of the same as the Blazers earned the largest scoring margin of the set with a five-point lead early before Ball State closed out the set on a five-point run for the win.
Similar to the second set, the Cardinals used a four-point run late in the set to create separation, taking the set and ultimately clinching the win.
Outside of Maida's solid performance, UAB held the blocking advantage with eight in the match to Ball State's three. Freshman middle blocker Kiana Mack led the way on that front with five total in the match.
Match 2: USF 3, UAB 1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22)
The Blazers came out firing in match two, stringing together short bursts of two and three points to down the Bulls, 25-21. USF returned the favor in set two, pulling ahead early and not looking back for the 25-17 win. Sets three and four were more like match one as the largest margin between the two sides was four points with USF coming out on top in both sets to clinch the match.
As a unit, UAB made the most of its serving opportunities, coming away with eight aces to USF's three in the match. Individually, freshman setter Rachel Morse showed out by leading both sides in set assists with 31 to go with a pair of service aces and eight digs. Mack carried her early success into match two, tying Maida for the team lead with 12 kills in the match.
Up Next
UAB will come home for its next competition as the Blazers host in-state rival Alabama State for their home opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Bartow Arena. Individual game tickets are now on sale for $5 per adult and $3 per youth. Live stat and streaming information will be provided on a later date. Coverage information such as streaming and live stats will be provided on a later date.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB volleyball, men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter or Instagram (@UAB_VB).
Team Stats
UAB
BSU
Kills
42
47
Errors
16
22
Attempts
108
120
Hitting %
.241
.208
Points
54.0
57.0
Assists
39
40
Aces
4
6
Blocks
8.0
4.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
7
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
MB
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