Memphis beats UAB volleyball in four-set match by 3-1: Volleyball News
The Memphis Tigers posted a 3-1 (15-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19) victory over UAB volleyball team (Blazers) on Wednesday, November 23 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham. Coming back from the loss of the opening set, the Tigers did a great job and pulled off success
in the match. Senior Heather Thomas gave a wonderful performance in her final match with Blazers and broke her own single season digs record by corralling a season-high 30 digs. She set a new record but her team still lost the crucial match to Memphis.
Blazers opened the match with a 5-3 lead in the first set before kills by Molnar and A. Hawkins brought Tigers into the game. They evened the score at 5-all, while UAB tried to take the lead. To achieve their motive, they used kills from an array of players
and managed to push Tigers behind. Blazers kept the momentum going and rallied past to 16-11. Kirsten Gallagher staged an outstanding performance and delivered hard hits, which provided damage to Memphis. Furthermore, Michele Simmons and Kate Morrell joined
hands and led UAB to win the opening set, 25-15.
Katie Meyer and Hawkins formed a combo in the second set and struggled for Memphis. They developed good rhythm to hit the ball and stayed put on the net. Spirited effort of Tigers resulted in 4-1 lead over Blazers. However, UAB bounced back and hit the equalizer
at 12-all. Tigers attacked though Vesna Jelic and tried to put pressure on the rival side. Meanwhile, Lauren Hawkins and Altrese Hawkins earned consecutive points for Memphis and finished off the set with 5-point lead, 25-20.
Tigers continued with success in the next two sets and did not give a chance to UAB to make a comeback. Blazers failed to get out of their rut and dropped the match.
The Head Coach of UAB, Kerry Messersmith, congratulated Heather for setting the record. She stated: "I think Heather's plays speaks for itself. Heather has done just a phenomenal job all four years she has been here. I couldn't be more proud of her. She
has broken lots of records and her name will definitely be in the books for a very long time."
Messersmith further explained that her team did not play bad but Memphis had the thirst to win the match because they were passionate and wanted to to win a whole lot more than UAB. She emphasized to her players to work on this ability and develop a killer
instinct.
Majstorovic of Memphis said: "I am proud of the girls for how they played, fought and passed for the last month. On one hand, I am glad we will have much-needed rest, but on the other hand, I wish had more games to play and keep improving like we have been."
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