Alabama
Iowa
Green Captures 600th Career Win as Volleyball Takes Down Iowa
8/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama Volleyball Head Coach Judy Green reached the 600-win plateau Saturday night as the Tide (2-1) took the 3-1 victory (26-24, 17-25, 25-17, 25-14) over Iowa (1-2) in the final match of the Hampton Inn Bama Bash on its home court, the CAVE. Alabama also won an earlier matchup in the day against Nicholls State 3-0 (25-5, 25-13, 25-10).
Humbled, Green said at the end of the match she didn't want to share this milestone with any other team or coaching staff.
"I feel very honored to be privileged enough to be coaching long enough to get to 600 wins," said Green. "By the time we end the season though I want to get to 625. We are going to get as many as we can. It's just a great honor."
Lauren Martin and Brooks Webster were both named to the All-Tournament Team that was voted on by coaches from each participating institution.
"I liked how our team played this weekend," said Green. "I think they had to face three different styles of teams. A lot of people are going to continue to call us young and continue to say Alabama is inexperienced. You look on a sheet of paper, and that's exactly what it says, but you look on the court and you aren't seeing a team that believes they are young and inexperienced."
A balanced offensive attack helped the Tide take its afternoon match against Nicholls State as it jumped to a quick 8-0 lead. Five Tide players tallied five kills or more with Calli Johnson leading the bunch with seven.
Newcomers Ashley Frazier, Leigh Moyer, Stephanie Riley and Lauren Wintzinger saw the first action of their collegiate careers in the match. Frazier's first kill came with authority in the second set to give Alabama the 15-8 lead. Her third of six match kills gave the Tide the winning point in the second frame. Riley contributed three assists and one dig on her debut performance.
In Alabama's opening set against Iowa in the night match, the score remained close right up to the end. A kill by Elizabeth Salstrand put the Tide up 25-24 before Alabama rallied to take the first frame. Iowa bounced back in the second, but the Tide proved to be too strong down the stretch as it dominated in sets three and four. Balance was, yet again, the key for the Tide as five players finished the match with eight kills or more. Brooks Webster led the squad with a 12-kill, 12-dig performance. Lauren Martin set up much of the offense tallying 43 assists.
"I think Lauren Martin played an outstanding tournament," Green said. "It's so promising to see a young setter play with that much composure with how she runs the floor. Her setting decisions continue to improve."
In the opening match of the day, Western Kentucky topped Iowa 3-1 (26-24, 24-26, 25-17, 25-17). The Lady Toppers quickly turned around for the first match of the afternoon where they took down Nicholls State in straight sets (25-10, 25-10, 25-16) to finish the tournament undefeated.
Friday's action included the tournament-opening matchup where Iowa took down Nicholls State 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-19). The Tide opened up its season dropping a five-set thriller to Western Kentucky (19-25, 25-5, 25-21, 16-25, 12-15).
Alabama will hit the road for the first time this season when it travels to Miami to take part in the University of Miami Tournament. The Tide will play two matches Friday, the first against South Dakota State at 9:00 a.m. (CST) followed by Virginia Commonwealth at 6:00 p.m. (CST). Alabama wraps up the road trip when it faces hosts Miami at 10:00 a.m. (CST) on Saturday.
