Alabama Volleyball Extends Win Streak Over Miss. State
11/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
 |
|
TUSCALOOSA - The University of Alabama volleyball team made quick work of Mississippi State on Sunday sending the Bulldogs home with a 3-0 (30-14, 30-27, 30-22) loss in front of 591 fans in the CAVE.
The win improved the Tide's record to 18-7 overall and 8-6 in the Southeastern Conference. It was the second time in the last three weekends that Bama has earned a weekend sweep of SEC opponents. The Tide extended its win streak over MSU to 12 consecutive matches and UA has now swept the Bulldogs and Ole Miss for five straight seasons. State is 13-15, 4-10 (SEC) following the loss.
"It was another strong, consistent effort by our players," said UA head coach Judy Green, who has guided the Tide to six consecutive winning seasons including this year. "I thought we did some nice things offensively. Today's match was a great confidence builder for us as we head into the final week of play. Hopefully this will help us build the momentum we need as we get ready to begin postseason competition."
Senior All-American candidate Erin Heffner topped the Tide offense with 16 kills followed by 12 from Kelley Potter and 11 by Julie Farley. As a team, Bama hit at a .327 clip with freshman setter Brigitte Slack tallying 45 assists.
The Tide defense also had a solid outing on Sunday winning the battle at the net - 10 blocks to four - and also on the back row by out-digging MSU, 50-32. Freshman Megan Hudson recorded a career best 14 digs in the match to lead Bama with junior libero Jessica Yearout chipping in 11 digs. Farley was the Tide's to blocker recording six total blocks.
Alabama also neutralized State's biggest weapon, their aggressive serving, allowing MSU just three aces will finishing with 11 of their own. Kory Tull posted four aces for UA's best serving performance.
The Bulldogs had no players reach double digit kills in the match and Megan Lukasek was the lone double-figure digger finishing with 13 in the match. MSU hit just .111 as a team on the day.
Game one started competitively before the Tide gained a slight edge. Leading 19-13, Bama broke things open in the opening frame outscoring MSU 11-1 including the last eight points off of Tull's strong serves.
The two squads battled back-and-forth in the second stanza with each squad holding a lead. The Tide made a late surge to earn the 30-27 win.
Following the break, Alabama scored the first five points of the third game and really never looked back en route to the three-game sweep of the Bulldogs. UA survived a late MSU rally but held on for the 30-22 victory.
The Crimson Tide, who have secured a spot in the SEC Tournament, concludes the regular season portion of its schedule this week with a pair of SEC contests. UA visits in-state rival Auburn on Wednesday night before hosting Kentucky next Sunday for the regular season finale.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Bridget Fuentez, Rachael Green, and Kelley Potter go up to block the ball.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Coach Judy Green talks to the team during a timeout.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Erin Heffner spikes the ball to the Bulldogs' side of the net.
(Photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Erin Heffner digs the ball out again for the Tide.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Megan Hudson serves the ball to the MSU Bulldogs.
(Photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Brigitte Slack sets the ball for Julie Farley to send over the net.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
The Tide celebrates another point.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jessica Yearout digs another ball for the Tide.
(Photo by Lindsay Morrison)
