Tide Volleyball Falls to No. 22 Oklahoma
8/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
NORMAN, Okla.- The University of Alabama volleyball team fell to No. 22 Oklahoma on the road tonight at the McCasland Field House in Norman, Okla. With the loss Alabama moves to 2-1 and Oklahoma advances to 3-0.
Senior setter Brigitte Slack led the team with a .571 hitting percentage and 29 assists and sophomore Brooks Webster posted a team high nine kills. Junior Amy Pauly led the team with 15 digs and the team posted seven blocks in tonight's effort.
"I think we had a chance in game one," said Alabama head coach Judy Green. "In a game like this one, it comes down to the team that makes the least amount of errors. We have a long way to go as a team to reach our goals but we are going to get better and learn to play more consistent volleyball."
Alabama took an early lead and held off the Sooners for most of the game until a Tide error gave Oklahoma a 24-23 advantage. Oklahoma's lead extended after an error, but a kill by the Tide's Hudson tied the game once again at 29-29. Tied at 29, Alabama and Oklahoma exchanged kills to knot up the game, 30-30. The Sooners eventually outlasted the Tide, 32-30, with a kill from the middle.
Alabama came out strong in game two but the Sooner's offense was unstoppable. The Tide posted two team blocks but that was not enough to shut down Oklahoma at the net. After 13 lead changes, a kill by Oklahoma gave them the final lead. The Tide battled back late in the game but Oklahoma put down a pair of kills to end the game.
The Tide struggled in game three but the team held Oklahoma to a .107 hitting percentage in the losing effort.
"We got some really good looks at freshman Mary Catherine Aune this weekend and she played well in the middle back," said Green. "Amy Pauly and Bridget Fuentez did a good job passing the ball but the hitters need to learn to make better choices. It was a very humbling match for our team but we are looking forward and looking forward to getting in the gym Monday."
Alabama returns to the CAVE next weekend to open its home schedule with UAB in its first match of the Academy Sports Bama Bash. The Tide faces off against UAB Friday, August 31 at 12:30 p.m.
For ticket information call the Alabama Ticket Office at 205.348.2262 or visit www.ROLLTIDE.com.
