Aug. 29, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn volleyball team topped UAB, 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-22), Saturday morning in the Student Activities Center to start day two of the War Eagle Invitational. The Tigers improve to 2-0 on the early season, while the Blazers fall to 1-1.
"UAB is a good team and I think we caught them at the right time," Wade Benson, head volleyball coach, said. "We showed the ability to make plays and close out matches when we are not playing at our highest level."
Auburn junior transfer Morgan Johns led all attackers with 13 kills and finished with a .400 hitting percentage. Sophomore Kelly Fidero recorded a match-high .583 hitting percentage with seven kills on 12 attempts with no errors.
Setter Christina Solverson tallied the team's first double-double of the season with a match-best 26 assists and 10 digs. Freshman Katherine Culwell led the team with 14 digs.
The Blazers were led by Andrea Lalic, who finished with 10 kills and two blocks. Alison Woods had 19 assists and libero Heather Thomas led the team with 13 digs.
Auburn opened up set one with a 5-1 run featured by two kills from Johns, but UAB brought it within three at the 10-7 mark on a block by Patty Paniagua and Sam Serley. Sparked by kills from Johns and junior Alyssa Davis, the Tigers pushed to take the 16-9 lead. The Blazers made a run to bring the score within two, but a handful of errors helped Auburn win the set, 25-22.
The Tigers put on a strong attacking front in the second set, hitting .581 percent with 19 kills on 31 attempts and just one error. The teams kept the score close, but at the 12-9 mark, Auburn went on a 6-2 run and pulled away with the 25-18 win.
The two squads went back and forth in the third set, seeing the Blazers hold the lead for most of the match. At the 16-16 mark, a UAB service error and a kill by Johns turned the set around for the Tigers who pushed on to win the set 25-22.