Alabama
8-1
Alcorn State
2-6
Volleyball Caps Weekend Sweep with Three-Set Decision over Alcorn State Saturday
9/14/2019 11:59:00 AM | Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama capped its weekend at the Blazer Invitational with its third-straight sweep, defeating Alcorn State in straight sets Saturday morning at Bartow Arena.
Alabama (8-1) held the lead for the entire match, downing Alcorn State (2-6) by set scores of 25-12, 25-11 and 25-14. The team's .405 hitting percentage is its highest since posting a .448 clip against Alabama State almost exactly five years ago on Sept. 13, 2014.
The win also marked the 300th of head coach Lindsey Devine's career, now sitting at 300-219 (.578) in her 17th year as a head coach.
Individually, junior Doris Carter led the offense with 12 kills, with her .450 hitting percentage bested only by redshirt junior Ashley Homan at .467. Carter also tied her career best with a team-leading three service aces. For their efforts over the weekend, graduate Eva Borrowdale and junior Kaylee Thomas were named to the All-Tournament team.
From Head Coach Lindsey Devine
"Our pressure at the service line is something that we've carried over all week from practice. I like that we're going back with intention at the service line, hitting our serving targets and creating some out-of-system balls. Kaylee Thomas has continued to be the voice of the backcourt and the team motivator. She does a great job of uniting our team and her competitiveness is unparalleled. I was pleased with the match Eva Borrowdale had Friday and I think she really showed how much of a weapon she can be for us."
Stat Leaders
- Kills – Doris Carter (11)
- Assists – Mylana Byrd (30)
- Aces – Doris Carter (3)
- Digs – Kaylee Thomas (8)
3? matches, 3? sweeps! ??????
— Alabama Volleyball (@AlabamaVBall) September 14, 2019
Alabama caps its weekend at the Blazer Invitational with a three-set decision over Alcorn State!#BamaVB #RollTide pic.twitter.com/VdPgSvrDlO
Set-by-Set
- Set One (Alabama 25, Alcorn State 12): Alabama scored the first three points of the set and, leading by the same margin later at 10-7, the Tide began to pull away with a 6-1 run before Alcorn State called a timeout trailing 16-8. The lead extended to double digits at 21-11 and ended at 13 points with the Tide winning 25-12.
- Set Two (Alabama 25, Alcorn State 11): Alabama was in command from the beginning, pulling ahead 8-3 at Alcorn State's first timeout before scoring six more unanswered to lead 14-3 at their second break. Later leading 16-6, a four-point swing extended the lead to 14 before Alcorn State got three back with Alabama taking a timeout ahead 20-9. The Tide finished the set with a 5-2 run to win, 25-11.
- Set Three (Alabama 25, Alcorn State 14): The momentum carried into the third set, with Alabama scoring five unanswered to start the frame. Later leading 11-6, the Tide rattled off seven-straight points to take a commanding 18-7 advantage. The 11-point margin remained until the end, with Alabama winning 25-14 to cap the sweep.
Key to the Match
Alabama never trailed in the match starting the first set with three unanswered points, the second with four and the third with five. The Tide's pressure at the service line each of the last three matches culminated in a weekend-high eight service aces.
Player of the Match
Alabama's attack was led by junior Doris Carter and redshirt junior Ashley Homan, who each hit north of .400 combining for 19 of the team's 37 kills. Carter additionally added three of the team's eight service aces, a career-high for the Lexington, Ky., native.
Up Next
Alabama makes its home debut on Tuesday, Sept. 17 against Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. CT before going back on the road to face No. 25 Florida State in Tallahassee on Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. CT.
For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaVball on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Volleyball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
