The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
0-1,0-0AAC
University at Buffalo
2-0,0-0MAC
Blazer Volleyball Falls to Buffalo in Five-Setter
8/25/2023 11:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Volleyball concluded the first day of the UAB Invitational with a 3-2 loss over Buffalo. The Blazers and Bulls went to blows through five sets, but UAB would be unable to capitalize in the final moments.
The Blazers start the season 0-1 for 2023.
SET BY SET
The match began with a strong outing for the Blazers, with a service ace from Brooklyn Allison. However, the first set stayed within close quarters, with Buffalo and UAB exchanging leads five times. The Green and Gold saw themselves trail by as much as three, but went on a 5-0 scoring run to push them to a 20-19 lead. After two errors from the Bulls, the Blazers held onto the first set to win 25-22.
The second set saw Buffalo return the favor with a few runs, including a 4-0 run to push them ahead by five. The Blazers remained in close proximity with a kill from Mia Reese and advancing the score off errors from Buffalo but were unable to capitalize before falling 21-25.
Set three mirrored the first two sets, with the score remaining within single digits. Outside hitter Asli Celikkol helped the Green and Gold reach ten points, but Buffalo remained right behind UAB. However, a run featuring back-to-back aces from Anna Burkhardt saw a 20-15 lead for the Green and Gold. UAB maintained their lead, collecting the win for set three; however set four swayed in favor of Buffalo.
The Bulls maintained the lead for the duration of the set, with the Blazers getting as close as two points. But errors from UAB kept Buffalo ahead to take the fourth set, forcing a fifth and final set.
The Blazers remained within reach of Buffalo, with kills from Celikkol and Chloe Rodriguez to tie the score at four. However, a 4-0 run advanced the score to 6-11, with Buffalo in front. UAB saw an opening, going on a run of their own after two errors and a momentum-shifting block from Madison Page and Kelsey Smith. But it would not be enough for UAB to take home the win, falling 10-15.
IN THE BOX
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UAB outhit Buffalo in sets two and three, with 13 kills apiece.
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On the defensive, the Blazers and Bulls totaled 74 digs through five sets. However, Buffalo finished with more blocks, with ten to UAB's eight.
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Asli Celikkol, Mia Reese and Chloe Rodriguez finished with double-digit kills on the evening.
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Rodriguez led the team in hitting percentage with .529 on 17 attempts.
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Kelsey Smith led the team in aces with three and double-digit digs. On the offensive, she finished with eight kills.
UP NEXT
The Blazers return to action on August 26, where they will face the Austin Peay Governors for the second day of the UAB Invitational. UAB and Austin Peay will face off at 3 PM in Bartow Arena.
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