The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
-710,23 CUSA
Florida Atlantic
-126,24 CUSA
Blazers Drop Sunday Match Against Florida Atlantic
10/9/2022 5:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BOCA RATON – The UAB Volleyball team (7-10, 2-3 C-USA) fell to the Florida Atlantic Owls in five sets early Sunday afternoon. The Blazers came off a previous matchup on Friday taking on Florida International, where they were taken to five sets.
"We came out being really disciplined and hungry, following the game plan and battling for every point," said head coach Betsy Freeburg, "We had a great practice on Saturday and carried that momentum into sets one and two. FAU made a lineup adjustment in set 3 that worked well for them, and we got a little tentative."
IN THE SETS
Starting out the first two sets, the Blazers took an early lead that the Owls had to claw back from. UAB held FAU to two points while the Green and Gold jumped out to seven. The score margin shrunk from five points to three off of attack errors on the Blazers' part. UAB kept their foot on the gas, pushing past the twenty-point mark. However, the score tied eight times, extending the set point out past the 30-point threshold. UAB would eventually take the first set 32-30.
The following set saw more of the same, with a back-and-forth rally between both teams. FAU found momentum with a 5-0 run but delivered two errors to tie the score up at 12. The Blazers continued a steady rhythm to take the second set 25-22.
In the following set, a change in pace happened on UAB's part, with attack and service errors pushing the Owls out to take control 8-6. They would maintain their lead throughout the duration of the set with a series of runs, including a 4-0 run to put FAU up seven points over UAB. The Blazers would end up dropping set three, 19-25.
Set four had similar results seen in set three, with the Owls taking a 10-4 lead to start. The Blazers responded by capitalizing off errors and delivering kills to hold FAU at 15 points. UAB eventually eclipsed the Owls and took the lead, 18-16. The Blazers continued on their run but went stagnant, being held to 22 points before the Owls took the lead off a 4-0 run and eventually tied the match up at two apiece with a 25-22 win.
The final set saw an immediate lead in favor of the Owls, with the Blazers in tow. FAU were held to seven after a series of kills from Maia Rackel, Kiana Mack and Alex Kells would tie the score up. But FAU maintained their momentum, keeping the lead at three points. The Blazers were held to 12 as the Owls closed out the match with a 15-12 win, taking the match in three straight sets.
IN THE BOX
The Blazers totaled 64 kills to the Owls 67. UAB maintained a consistent number of kills, being held to 11 for the final three sets. The Owls, while taking more attack attempts in the final set, had a lower attack percentage with .267 to the Blazers' .269. The determining factor in the fifth set were errors, with four on UAB to none to FAU.
Stat leaders for the Blazers include Alex Kells, who finished the day with 21 kills, followed by Fernanda Maida with 20. Kiana Mack and Chloe Rodriguez finished the match with five blocks apiece for the Green and Gold, while Erin Powers closed out with 22 digs. Freshman, Izabella Carter completed the match with a double-double, totaling 53 assists and 21 digs.
QUOTES FROM BETSY FREEBURG
"Izabella Carter really showed great improvement from Friday to today as well. For a freshman to come in and have two double doubles including 21 digs tonight is a big deal."
"We are looking forward to regrouping next week and are excited to be back in Bartow against Rice and Louisiana Tech!"
UP NEXT
The Blazers return to Bartow Arena, where they will host Rice on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
2022-23 GOLD CARD
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