Alabama Volleyball Makes 2021 Home Debut at Crimson Tide Invitational

This Week: Crimson Tide Invitational presented by the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Alabama makes its home debut this weekend, hosting the Crimson Tide Invitational with matches against Troy, Buffalo and Southern Miss
The Crimson Tide went 3-0 to start the season, with wins at last weekend's Marshall Invitational against Austin Peay, Marshall and Miami (OH)
All eight of Alabama's newcomers saw playing time last weekend, including junior transfer Dru Kuck who was named the Marshall Invitational MVP and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week
Junior setter Emily Janek was named to the Marshall Invitational All-Tournament team after pacing the offense with 96 assists, including double-doubles against Austin Peay and Marshall
Head Coach Lindsey Devine returns for her third season at the helm in 2021
Alabama returns nine players from last year's team while welcoming eight newcomers, including six freshmen and two transfers
Six matches are slated to air on the ESPN family of networks

Alabama opened its season with three wins at the Marshall Invitational last weekend, defeating Austin Peay and Marshall in four sets and sweeping Miami (OH)
In each of the four set wins, the Tide rallied back from a loss in set one to win the match
The sweep over Miami (OH) was Alabama's first three-set win since Sept. 14, 2019 against Alcorn State
Dru Kuck was named the Tournament MVP and Emily Janek was named to the All-Tournament Team
All 17 players on the Tide roster saw play time over the weekend
Abby Marjama, Kennedy Muckeory and Kendyl Reaugh all tied for the team lead with 27 kills over the weekend, with Marjama also pacing the squad with seven aces
Kuck's 70 digs (6.36/set) are the most of any SEC player through opening weekend
Sarah Swanson and Alyiah Wells both finished with double-digit blocks, stuffing 19 and 16, respectively

Kuck started at libero in all three matches for Alabama at the Marshall Invitational, finishing the weekend with 70 digs over 11 sets played for an average of 6.36 per set
She set a new career high in the season opener against Austin Peay with 28 digs and led the team in the remaining two matches against Marshall (24) and Miami of Ohio (18)
For her efforts, she was named the Marshall Invitational MVP

Team Stats

1st - Digs - 216 (19.64/set)
2nd - Blocks - 38.5 (3.50/set)
3rd - Kills - 156 (14.18/set)
3rd - Assists - 144 (13.09/set)
4th - Aces - 20 (1.82/set)
5th - Opponent Hitting Pct. - .117

Individual Stats

1st - Aces - Abby Marjama - 7 (0.78/set)
1st - Blocks - Sarah Swanson - 19 (2.11/set)
1st - Digs - Dru Kuck - 70 (6.36/set)
4th - Aces - Kennedy Muckelroy - 5 (0.56/set)
7th - Blocks - Alyiah Wells - 16 (1.60/set)