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Volleyball tames Tigers on senior night

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Sports

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On Saturday night, the Blazers defeated the Memphis Tigers in three straight sets (25-15, 25-20, 25-7) on senior night.

The UAB fans and members of the volleyball program showed their appreciation for seniors Andrea Lalic, Patty Paniagua, Savannah Pegg and Alley Tallman.

Senior night marks their final game at Bartow Arena and the team’s final home game of the season.

Lalic had 11 kills and 3 digs on the night and Sam Serley also scored 11 kills to help the Blazers claim their 17th victory of the season.

The Blazers got off to a fast start by scoring the first points to claim a 2-0 lead. Lalic delivered four of the teams first six points to set the tone of the match. Afterwards, the Blazers began to distribute the scoring equally to display a balanced attack.

Serley provided a great inside presence and contributed several key blocks to establish the Blazers front line. The Tigers never managed to get within 4 points, but they never showed signs of conceding. They began using creative and confusing formations to work their way back into the set.

Despite the effort, the Blazers prevailed and won the first set (25-15).

The second set began with the Tigers playing strong on offense to take a 2-0 lead. The Blazers stood strong and intensified their attack to tie the score at 5.

The set took on the personality of a chess match with both teams trading kills until Memphis pulled ahead to take a 12-10 lead midway through the second set.

UAB’s Heather Thomas made an amazing play by diving to make a backward dig in the back right corner of the court to keep the blazers close.

The Tigers were leading for most of the set, but again, the Blazers came back to recapture the lead 19-18. With Thomas serving, the Blazers would cap a five point scoring frenzy to eventually win the second set (25-20).

The Blazers jumped off to a 13-2 lead to open the third set. They blitzed the Tigers with a ferocious set of kills to take advantage of the cracks in the Tigers defense.

The Tigers then resorted back to puzzling formations to change the tempo and gather themselves. Although the Tigers did not quit, the Blazers were clicking on all cylinders and would finish off the Tigers to win the third set and the match 25-7.

Next, the Blazers will compete as the No. 7 seed against No. 2 seed Tulsa at the
Conference-USA volleyball tournament. The tournament begins on Friday and is hosted by Rice.

UAB improved to 17-15 (9-7 C-USA), and Memphis ended its season at 7-24 (3-13 C-USA).

 Email: tdtjunior@live.com 




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