Alabama Blows by Mercer in Bama Bash Opener
9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA ?? The University of Alabama volleyball team got off to a slow start in its opening match of the weekend, but rebounded to earn a 3-1 decision over Mercer in the Tide’s first match of its own 2006 Hampton Inn Bama Bash.
“I thought we started off slowly and that we were playing the style of volleyball that Mercer wanted us to play,” head coach Judy Green said. “As soon as we were able to change the pace of the match and play our style, we played extremely well.”
Alabama lost the first game to the Bears, 30-28, after Mercer took advantage of several Tide miscues. Riding the back of some strong serving and the play of Crystal Hudson and Bridget Fuentez, UA rebounded to take three straight games by scores of 30-17, 30-15 and 30-14 to win the match.
Fuentez tallied match highs in kills and digs with 19 and 12, respectively while leading the Tide in hitting percentage at .531. Hudson smashed 15 kills while hitting .407 for the match.
The Tide moves to 3-1 on the young season, while Mercer falls to 1-3 on the year. Alabama faces Ball State tonight at 7 p.m. in the final match of the day, while Mercer moves on to play UW-Milwaukee at 4:30 p.m.
Admission to all matches in the CAVE at Coleman Coliseum is free. Two matches will be played on Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m.
