Volleyball sweeps Auburn 3-0 to win SEC Opener
9/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
 |
|
The University of Alabama volleyball team (13-1, 1-0 SEC) swept Auburn 3-0 (30-24, 30-27, 30-24) to win its fourth Southeastern Conference opener in the last five years Wednesday night in Auburn.
The victory ran the Tide's win streak to 13 matches and equaled the best start in the modern era (1989-present) of UA volleyball. Alabama's win marked its 11th consecutive over Auburn since 1999 and 26th overall against in-state competition.
"I told our players before the match that this is one of the reasons you come to Alabama, to be a part of a storied rivalry like this," Alabama head coach Judy Green said.
Each of the three games was tightly contested before the Tide was able to pull away. The match featured a total of 30 ties and 30 lead changes.
"It's been a long time since we've played a team that could hit the ball as hard as they do and play the way they play," Green said. "I tip my hat to Coach (Laura) Farina, she is doing a great job for Auburn and they are going to be a good team."
Alabama sophomore Bridget Fuentez recorded her third straight double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore Crystal Hudson led the Tide with 13 kills on the night. For the match, the Tide out slugged Auburn .246 to .134 and had 51 kills compared to 37 for the Tigers.
The first game of the match was a closely played affair until the 16-16 mark. UA pulled away at that point, never relinquishing the lead again and stretching it out to six on three occasions. Rachael Green's game clinching kill gave UA a 30-24 win. The Tide out hit the Tigers .261 to .189 in the first game and Sarah Snider and Crystal Hudson led the way with five kills apiece. UA also had 20 digs in the game.
"I felt like from the 20th point to the 30th point we played really well," Green said.
The second game featured comebacks by both teams before Alabama was able to put the game away at 30-27. Alabama jumped out to a 12-8 lead before the Tigers rallied back to take a 19-18 lead. The game remained close until the score was knotted at 22. The Tide then ran off three straight points with Jessica Yearout serving to take a 25-22 lead. Auburn closed to 27-26, but Bridget Fuentez ended the match with an ace. Fuentez posted five kills to lead UA and Snider converted four of six attacks as the Tide out hit AU .258 to .171.
The final game of the night started the way the previous two had, with both teams trading points early. However, with the score tied at 10, Alabama pulled away and led the rest of the game. Hudson connected on six kills in seven attempts to lead UA to the win.
Alabama returns to action Sunday afternoon against the Kentucky Wildcats. First serve in Lexington is set for 1:30 EST. A link for live stats for the match can be followed at www.rolltide.com.
