Alabama Outlasted by Georgia in Volleyball Action
11/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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TUSCALOOSA - The fans that attended the Alabama-Georgia volleyball match got to watch an exciting match an even were treated to some extra volleyball as the Crimson Tide dropped a hard-fought 3-1 decision to the Bulldogs on Sunday in the CAVE.
Alabama lost its fourth straight match to fall to 16-13 overall and 6-8 in the Southeastern Conference. The Tide has also lost its last five SEC contests. Georgia improved to 17-12 on the season and 7-7 in league play. Both teams are battling for seeding position for the SEC Tournament in two weeks.
Georgia was able to outlast the Tide in both the second and fourth games winning the frames with more than the normally required 30 points. The pair squared off in a marathon second stanza that saw UGA eventually earn the 45-43 victory. The Bulldogs took game one 30-23 and game four 31-29. Alabama was able to avoid the sweep with a 30-25 victory in game three. It was the 20th time this season that the Tide has won the third game in a match.
Following a strong showing in the first game, Georgia took opened up a 17-12 advantage midway through game two. Kenna Milner served up a pair of aces in a four-point run by Bama that trimmed UGA's lead to just one. The Bulldogs pushed back in front and looked ready to close out the game serving with a 28-24 lead, but that's when the Tide made their charge.
Alabama regained possession of the serve and closed the UGA lead on back-to-back aces by Kory Tull. UGA then went up 29-27 and served for the game but Bama kept things going with a sideout kill. The Crimson Tide scored two more points to lead 30-29 but were unable to finish out the game. The two squads then preceded to battle toe-to-toe with both teams having chances for victory. UA committed a pair of service aces while serving for the win during the closing stretch and Georgia finally got the necessary play for a two-point margin and the win. The final 45-43 score equals the NCAA record for points in a game set earlier this year in a Yale-Brown match.
Game four went back and forth with both teams holding an advantage at some point in the competition. Georgia opened up a slight 28-25 lead, but the Tide scored the next four points including an ace by Shelly Adamcik to reach game point (29-28). UGA again was able to make the key play scoring the final three points for the game and match win.
Four Alabama players topped double-figure kills in the contest led by Erin Heffner's 24. Jennifer Bibber finished with 17 followed by 15 by Kory Tull and 10 from Kelley Potter. Milner handed out a career-best 68 assists on the day and led the team with three service aces and four blocks. Bibber had 12 digs to lead three UA players in double-digits on defense followed by Milner (11) and Tull (10). Alabama recorded 10 aces in the match but also committed 21 service errors.
Julia Petruschke had 22 kills to lead the Bulldogs and also had a team-high 17 digs.
The Crimson Tide concludes its regular season SEC schedule this week with a pair of important SEC Western Division tilts. Alabama hosts Auburn on Wednesday night before closing out their home slate on Sunday versus Mississippi State. The Bama senior class will be recognized prior to the MSU match.
Alabama (16-13, 6-8 SEC) 23 43 30 29
Georgia (17-12, 7-7 SEC) 30 45 25 31
