Tide Volleyball Wins Over JSU in Home Debut, 3-0
9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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TUSCALOOSA - The University of Alabama volleyball team got things off on a winning track with a 3-0 (30-19, 30-22, 30-20) home debut victory over Jacksonville State.
The Crimson Tide improved to 3-6 on the season with the win in the opening match of the Crimson Tide Invitational. With the loss JSU falls to 6-3. The win also extends the UA win streak to 14 consecutive matches against in-state opponents.
Erin Heffner collected 13 kills and hit at a .480 hitting percentage in leading Alabama to its best offensive showing of the year. For the match the Tide hit an impressive .357 with four hitters finishing at over a .300 hitting percentage. Jennifer Cusimano, a native of Tuscaloosa who has missed the last two seasons with knee injuries, fulfilled a life-long dream when she played for the first time collegiately in her hometown. Cusimano started the match as the UA libero.
Alabama got out of the gates quickly against the Gamecocks, taking a 14-8 lead midway through the first game. The Tide used strong attacks on the outside and some aggressive serving to keep JSU on their heels. Bama pushed its lead to double digits en route to the 30-19 win.
Game two saw the scrappy Jacksonville State squad earned a brief lead at 14-13 but Alabama scored six of the next eight points to regain the lead and never look back. JSU made a late push before Jennifer Bibber shut the door on the Gamecocks from the service line scoring the final four points of the frame including a ace on game point. UA took a two game lead in the match with the 30-22 win.
The Tide used a pair of service runs to control the play of game three. Kory Tull put Bama in front 18-7 with a string of seven service points. JSU answered with a six point spurt of their own to close the UA margin, but Kelley Potter earned six straight points on her serve including back-to-back aces to push Bama's advantage into double figures, 25-15. Alabama closed out the sweep with a 30-20 win in third game.
Bibber finished with 12 kills to join Heffner in double figures. Heffner also led the Tide back row defense with seven digs. Potter paced the UA net play with three blocks. As a team, Alabama recorded nine aces led by three from Potter. Erin Price handed out 30 assists and posted six kills in her first home match as setter.
Alabama continues play in the Crimson Tide Invitational later on Friday night when they play host to Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. in the CAVE. Today's night session starts at 5 p.m. as UAB meets Jacksonville State. The Blazers earned a 3-1 victory over GSC in the tournament's opening match on Friday morning.
