Volleyball Sweeps Alabama A&M in Season Opener
9/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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TUSCALOOSA - The University of Alabama volleyball team got the 2004 season off to a roaring start on Wednesday night topping in-state foe Alabama A&M, 3-0 (30-15, 30-21, 30-21), in the CAVE.
The Crimson Tide (1-0) used strong serving and solid defense to keep the visiting Bulldogs (0-1) at bay. Alabama finished with 17 service aces on the night including a match-high seven in the opening stanza.
The season opening victory improves UA's all-time season debut record to 18-6 and marks the Tide's seventh consecutive home opening victory. The match marked the first ever meeting between the Bama and A&M.
"It felt good to finally play against somebody else," said ninth-year Alabama head coach Judy Green. "It is always good to get a win in the first one and it was also very nice to open up at home for a change. I thought our team came out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm to start the match. I was really happy with our defensive effort for the most part."
Alabama grabbed an early advantage in the opening stanza and never looked back as the Tide cruised to an easy 30-15 win. In addition to its seven aces, Alabama also outhit the visitors .296 to -.029 and recorded an eight dig advantage (18-10).
In game two, Alabama A&M shook off the opening game rust and got things together a little bit more. The Bulldogs kept things close until a late UA charge put the Tide up 2-0 in the match with the 30-21 win.
The Crimson Tide led for much of the way in the third game, slowly building a lead that eventually reached near double-digits at the end with a 30-21 win. Serving was again the key in the final stanza with Bama posting six aces.
Senior All-American candidate Erin Heffner paced the Crimson Tide offense with 12 kills while Kelley Potter added seven in the victory. Junior libero transfer Jessica Yearout topped the team in digs (11) and aces (5) in her Alabama debut. Heffner also had a strong defensive night with four aces and eight digs.
Several other Tide newcomers also made their Crimson debuts on Wednesday night with freshman setter Brigitte Slack getting the start and finishing the match with 20 assists. Fellow freshman setter Megan Hudson saw action in the third game, as UA tested out a modified version of a 6-2 offense. Redshirt freshman Crystal Hudson also played in her first career match tallying four kills.
Alabama has little time to celebrate or rest as their attention has to turn quickly to this weekend's action at the Hampton Inn - BAMA BASH. The Tide hosts the two-day event that begins on Friday morning at 10 a.m. with Xavier taking on Montana State. Bama's first match of the tournament will be at 12:30 p.m. on Friday versus College of Charleston. UA will also meet Xavier at 7 p.m. on Friday and take on Montana State at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
All matches of the Hampton Inn - BAMA BASH are free to the public and will be played in the CAVE.
PHOTO GALLERY (photos by Michelle Lepianka)
Tide basketball coach Mark Gottfried opens the
season as the Celebrity First Server.
Rachael Green slams one over the net.
Crystal Hudson blocks an Alabama A&M shot.
Brigitte Slack and Rachael Green go up to block a shot.
