Bama Volleyball Falls at South Carolina
9/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
 |
|
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of Alabama volleyball team struggled for much of the day at South Carolina handed the Tide a disappointing 3-0 (30-17, 30-27, 30-27) loss on Sunday.
The loss dropped the Tide to 10-6 overall and 1-1 in Southeastern Conference play. Alabama has now lost its last three matches against the Lady Gamecocks. USC improved to 10-3 overall and remained undefeated in SEC play at 3-0.
"Our slow start really hurt us today," said UA head coach Judy Green. "South Carolina is a good team but I feel like we did some things to help them out."
South Carolina jumped out to the early lead with a 9-2 run thanks to several unforced hitting errors by Alabama. The Lady Gamecocks kept the pressure on eventually extending their advantage to double digits (23-13). USC finished strong taking the opening game by the count of 30-17. Carolina turned the Tide's weapon of choice for the season, the service ace, around on them posting seven to just one for UA in game one.
USC continued its strong serving to start the second game scoring the first three points with aces. The Tide battled back and kept things close finally catching up with the Lady Gamecocks and tying the score at 14. Carolina pushed back in front with four straight points but Bama refused to quit scratching back to again knot the score at 20. The teams traded points to 27 before USC closed the match with a pair of kills and their seventh ace in the game and the 14th of the match to win 30-27.
A determined Crimson Tide squad started stronger in game three even taking their first lead of the contest 7-6 on Julie Farley's third ace of the match. USC responded with a 7-1 moments later to retake the lead. Bama clawed its way back into the game tying the score at 19 on back-to-back blocks by Erin Price. However, the Lady Gamecocks scored the next three points and closed out the match with a 30-27 win in the final game.
Erin Heffner was the lone Tide player in double figures finishing with a match-high 13 kills. Kenna Milner and Kory Tull paced the Bama defense with seven digs each. Carolina was led by Niece Curry and Cally Plummer with 12 kills each. Plummer served up five aces to lead USC to a 16-3 margin in service aces.
The Crimson Tide will remain on the road with a pair of SEC Western Division tilts next weekend when Bama visits Ole Miss (Oct. 4) and Mississippi State (Oct. 6).
Alabama (10-6, 1-1 SEC) 17 27 27
S. Carolina (10-3, 3-0 SEC) 30 30 30
