Bama Volleyball Sweeps Rival Auburn
11/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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TUSCALOOSA - The Alabama volleyball team used a dominating performance to snap a five-match losing skid in Southeastern Conference play posting an impressive 3-0 sweep of archrival Auburn on Wednesday night in the CAVE.
The Crimson Tide trailed just once in the match and totally controlled the offensive tempo of the match out-hitting the Tigers .434 to -.076. The victory improved Alabama's record to 17-13 overall and 7-8 in the SEC and assured the Tide of its fourth consecutive winning season. It also marked Bama's sixth straight win over their rivals and was the 13th consecutive victory over an in-state team. For Auburn it marked their 21st consecutive loss and dropped the Tigers to 1-26 and 0-15 this year.
Bama freshman Kelley Potter had a breakout match for the Tide finishing the match with an .875 hitting percentage with 14 kills in 16 attempts and no hitting errors. Potter's effectiveness ranked second all-time for an Alabama player in a single match. She also recorded a career best four aces and led the team with four blocks.
"Tonight was a very good team effort," said UA head coach Judy Green. "I really liked the focus that we played with and how we maintained it throughout all three games. Our team did a great job of executing and when we do that we are pretty good. I am happy that this group continues to work hard and improve. I can't say enough about Kelley's performance tonight. She was awesome."
Alabama got the things rolling quickly taking a 5-1 lead in game one. Moments later Potter sparked a seven-point run from the service line as Bama opened up a double-digit lead, 15-4. UA kept the pressure on scoring the final nine points to earn the 30-11 victory. Erin Price recorded a pair of aces in the Tide's closing run. Bama's offense clicked at a .520 hitting clip while the Tide "D" limited AU to a -.208 performance.
After Auburn took their only lead of the match by scoring the opening point of game two, Alabama regained the lead by scoring nine of the next 10 points. With the lead in hand, the Tide never looked back using strings of points to capture a 30-16 win. Auburn again struggled offensively hitting a -.034 for the game.
The Tide jumped in front quickly in game three and then broke it open with a 7-0 run to take an 18-6 advantage. Alabama's offensive dominance continued as UA closed out the match with a 30-15 win.
Potter led Alabama with her 14 kills that included 11 kills in her first 11 swings. Erin Heffner finished with 12 kills to reach double-figure kills in every SEC match this season. The Tide hit .434 for the match while holding the Tigers to -.076 and doubled up Auburn in kills (47-16) and digs (34-17).
The Crimson Tide will conclude their home schedule on Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. match versus SEC foe Mississippi State. Following the match, Alabama's senior class will be recognized with a ceremony and a reception open to the public.
Alabama (17-13, 7-8 SEC) 30 30 30
Auburn (1-26, 0-15 SEC) 11 16 15
