Alabama Volleyball Rolls by Northern Iowa, 3-0
9/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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The Alabama volleyball team picked up its seventh straight victory Saturday morning, defeating Northern Iowa 3-0 (30-26, 35-33, 30-13) at the UWM Invitational in Milwaukee. The Tide improves to 7-1 for the season and earned Alabama head coach Judy Green her 550th career win. Northern Iowa, which had already defeated a top 25 school this season, fell to 5-3.
"This was a huge win for our program to defeat a very good Northern Iowa team," Green said. "I absolutely thought that the best 'team' won the match."
The Tide was able to outlast the Panthers in a back and forth first game, 30-26. The game featured 11 tie scores and eight lead changes.
The second game of the match would prove to be the turning point for UA. Alabama was down by as many as seven points before taking a 35-33 win in the game.
"I think that the key turning point in the match was coming back from seven points down in game two to win 35-33," Green said. "The match turned around for us when we started to play good team defense. We were able to win almost all of the crucial points and the long rallies and that was the key for us."
The victory in game two propelled UA to an easy 30-13 win in the final game of the match.
Bridget Fuentez paced Alabama for the second straight match. The sophomore outside hitter picked up her second consecutive double-double recording 16 kills and 10 digs. Reigning SEC Player of the Week Kelley Potter added 11 kills for the Tide. Defensively, senior libero Jessica Yearout recorded 20 digs while sophomore Crystal Hudson had a career high three solo blocks to go along with five block assists. Sophomore Brigitte Slack had 43 assists marking her 14th straight game, dating back to last season, she has recorded more than 40 assists.
Laura Rowen led Northern Iowa with 11 kills. Stephanie May added 15 digs for the Panthers.
Alabama wraps up competition in the UWM Invitational tonight against host Wisc.-Milwaukee. First serve is set for 7:00. Live stats for the match can be followed at www.rolltide.com.
