The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
-79,22 CUSA
FIU
-414,14 CUSA
Blazers Fall to FIU in Five-Setter
10/7/2022 9:24:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MIAMI – The UAB Volleyball team (7-9, 2-2 C-USA) fell to the FIU Panthers in a five-set match on Friday Night in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami.
IN THE SETS
In the first set, the Blazers had the early upper hand with a pair of kills from Alex Kells, but the Panthers quickly got within range before taking a lead of their own. A series of attack errors from UAB, partnered with aces and kills from FIU would put the Panthers up 11 to the Blazers' 6. UAB caught up to the Panthers, being able to tie the score up x times before taking set one, 25-22.
Set two saw an early commanding lead from the Blazers, who jumped out to a 5-1 lead over FIU, but the Panthers tied the score at seven apiece. FIU went on to gain a two point lead over UAB and forced a timeout for the Blazers. From then on, FIU maintained their lead over UAB, racking up an attack percentage of .345 to the Blazers' .147. The series then split at one apiece with FIU taking the second set, 25-18.
The third set saw more of the same as seen in the previous set. The Panthers and Blazers battled throughout the duration of the set, keeping the score within a three-point margin. But FIU continued to keep a hold of the lead up until the final points of the set. UAB went on a 4-0 run to tied up the score at 22, but FIU would go on a 2-0 run to put them within set point before one final kill to take the set 25-22.
Set four saw a momentum shift from the Blazers, who took the lead early over the Panthers. They maintained this lead throughout the set, with FIU trailing by two throughout the majority of the set. UAB extended the lead from two to six with a 4-0 run to put the Blazers up 18-12. The Panthers rallied back to put the score within two points, but the eight collective attack errors from the Panthers would hinder them from gaining the win. UAB tied the series up with a 25-23 win.
The final set had an immediate answer from FIU, who took a 6-1 lead to force a timeout from the Blazers. UAB added more points to the board off of attack errors on the Panthers' part, but were held to six before an error from FIU put UAB within three points. The Blazers would hold the Panthers at set point, but it would be unsuccessful as a kill would seal the fate and give FIU a 15-13 win in the final set.
IN THE BOX
Stat leaders from the Blazers included Fernanda Maida, who finished the night with fifteen kills, followed by Alex Kells and Maia Rackel with 11 kills each. Kiana Mack led the team in hitting percentage with .462, with the team hitting a collective percentage of .153.
In the defensive front, Mack also led in blocks with a total of seven on the night for the Blazers. Kells finished the night as the front runner in digs with 23. The Blazers were outperformed in kills, with 59 from the Panthers to the Blazers 54.
UAB would total a higher hitting percentage with .153, partnered with a lower number of errors, but the Blazers totaled more ball handling errors than FIU, with four to one.
QUOTES FROM BETSY FREEBURG
"From the beginning we were off and never really found our rhythm. We're thankful for the opportunity to bounce back and compete again on Sunday."
UP NEXT
The Blazers return to action on Sunday in Boca Raton, where they take on the Florida Atlantic Owls at 11 a.m. to close out their weekend series.
To keep up with the UAB Volleyball Team, follow @UAB_VB on Instagram and Twitter.
