Fuentez Leads Volleyball Past South Carolina 3-0
10/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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Bridget Fuentez continued her hot play Friday night with 22 kills and a .677 hitting percentage in leading the Alabama volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Fuentez posted her career best in the Tide's previous match with 23 kills last Sunday against Mississippi State.
"Bridget's been finding a rhythm," Alabama head coach Judy Green said. "She had a breakout game against Mississippi State. She had an outstanding match tonight. Those are superstar stats she put up."
The victory improved the Tide to 17-3 on the season, 5-2 in Southeastern Conference play. South Carolina falls to 9-8 overall, 2-5 in the SEC.
"This was a great win for our team over one who is in the top 60 in the country in RPI," Green said. "We've got to take everything we can get."
Alabama posted its highest hitting percentage in conference play so far this season in outhitting the Gamecocks .316 to .250. The Tide also out dug USC 43 to 33 and had nine service aces to just two for Carolina.
The Tide took a close first game 30-27, rallying from an early deficit to win. The Tide shut down South Carolina, holding USC to just a .083 hitting percentage to cruise to a 30-20 victory in game two. The Tide rallied late in game three, trailing most of the way but pulling off a 31-29 victory.
"This team has got to be a never say die kind of team," Green said. "If we wouldn't have won in five games on Sunday, this wouldn't have happened tonight.
In addition to Fuentez, the Tide was led by Crystal Hudson. Hudson posted 12 kills and hit .450 for the match. Freshman Sarah Snider led UA with 16 digs and sophomore Brigitte Slack had 42 assists for Alabama.
Iris Santos led three Gamecocks in double figures in kills. Santos posted a team best 13 kills while hitting .393. Lauren Ford had 11 kills and Marija Milosevic added 10.
Alabama returns to action Sunday afternoon at 1:30 against Tennessee in the CAVE. Live stats and audio of the match can be heard at www.rolltide.com.
