Alabama Rolls Over Kentucky for Fifth-Straight League Win
10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA ?? Fridays are starting to become the Alabama volleyball team’s favorite day. For the second Friday in as many weeks, the Tide swept a talented SEC opponent. Last week, it was long-time rival Arkansas. Tonight, the Tide rolled past Kentucky, who had handed No. 18 Tennessee a loss on Wednesday night, in three-straight to extend Alabama’s SEC win streak to five matches.
“I was really proud of the way we came out with a lot energy tonight,” said head coach Judy Green. “Coming off of an emotional weekend last week, tonight’s match could have presented a challenge for this team. I felt like we stuck with what we wanted to do very well, because our game plan coming in was a little different. We just keep getting better and better, and that’s what we want to continue to do.”
Early in the match it looked like the night would be a slugfest, as the teams traded points in an exciting game one. Kentucky built a slight lead, but the Tide stormed back after a timeout by head coach Green, taking every crucial point down the stretch to take a 30-26 decision in the initial frame.
The second game was all Alabama, as the Tide jumped all over the Wildcats and never let up. Alabama hit .533 while holding UK to a .133 percentage with a stifling defense and cruised to an easy 30-20 win in game two.
“I feel like we are a great defensive team,” said Green. “We have just got great balance from everybody. To record three blocks per game, well over our average, is a great accomplishment. We hung in there and battled and did what we had to do to get the job done.”
Kentucky came out of the break a determined unit and led throughout the majority of the third frame. The Tide clawed back though, tying the score late in a thrilling game three that featured 13 ties. The teams traded side outs on some fantastic defense. Kentucky sided out at 74 percent, while the Tide tallied a 79 percent side out rate.
It was too much Alabama late, though, as kills by middle blockers Crystal Hudson and Rachael Green fueled a late Tide run that sealed the third game and a sweep of the Wildcats.
The Tide offense was clicking on all cylinders tonight, as four Alabama players ended the match in double figures in the kill column. Alabama, who ranked second in the league in hitting percentage in SEC matches, hit .378 against UK, its second-highest total of the conference season.
“After a shaky start, our passers did a great job of keeping us in our offensive system,” said Green. “And when you are in system, you should hit 37 percent when you have the attackers we have. But you have to give a lot of that credit to Brigitte (Slack), who ran a great attack tonight.”
Leading the way was junior Bridget Fuentez, who continued her torrid pace in the win over Kentucky. Fuentez, who carried the Tide throughout much of the early part of the match, tallied 16 kills while hitting .400 for the evening.
Hudson, the dynamic Tide middle blocker, had some even more impressive numbers. The red-shirt junior from Hueytown ripped 14 kills on 17 attempts for an unreal .824 hitting percentage. She added a pair of solo blocks to the defensive effort.
True freshman Brooks Webster recorded her 10th double-figure kill match, as she put down 11. Green posted her second match in double figures this season with an even 10 kills on the night.
Slack once again ran the Tide offense to perfection, dishing out 42 assists while tallying six kills of her own. Slack, who moved into sole possession of third place all-time in career assists at UA last weekend, has helped Alabama’s hitting percentage rise throughout her juniors season.
Team co-captain Megan Hudson set a season high with 10 digs on the defensive side of the net, while SEC Defensive Player of the Week Amy Pauly led the Tide with 11 digs.
Alabama will face a ranked SEC foe for the second straight Sunday in its next match, as the Tide welcomes the No. 18 Lady Vols into the CAVE for another challenging league contest.
“It’s nice to be at home,” said Green. “Being successful on your home floor is certainly one of the keys in this league. But we have another match Sunday against yet another great team, so we are going to have to step it up once more to have a chance against Tennessee.”
First serve is slated for 1:30 p.m. in the CAVE on Alabama Volleyball Giveaway day. The first 300 fans in the CAVE will receive a complimentary Alabama volleyball.
