Tide Volleyball Earns Second Sweep Over Tennessee
10/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The University of Alabama volleyball team went 2-0 on the weekend after defeating Tennessee, 30-21, 30-28, 30-17, today in the CAVE. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 12-9 overall and 10-3 in the SEC.
"I thought that our team stepped up to the challenge that was given today after a long, hard fought match on Friday," said Alabama head coach Judy Green. "When you are physically tired and give in to that mentally it starts to affect your execution, but it only happened for a short period of time and then we took care of business."
The Tide showed balance on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball today as three Alabama players produced double-digits in digs and both outside hitters recorded double-digits in kills. Redshirt sophomore Brooks Webster tallied her seventh double-double of the season and led all players with 16 kills. Senior Bridget Fuentez also earned a double-double with 15 kills and 19 digs. Senior Crystal Hudson led all players with a .421 hitting percentage and junior Amy Pauly tallied a match-high 23 digs.
As a team, Alabama hit just under .300 at .291 and held Tennessee to a .153 hitting percentage. The Tide also out-blocked the Lady Vols, producing eight blocks to Tennessee's three.
"We had to make some adjustments in our serve receive patterns today and I thought the players handled that really well," said Green. "I thought we got solid play from our two outside hitters in Bridget Fuentez and Brooks Webster. Again, it was a good team win."
Alabama came out determined to finish the weekend undefeated and stepped onto the court with a purpose. The Tide held the lead throughout game one after jumping out to a 3-0 lead on back-to-back kills from Webster and Lindsey Buteyn. Alabama extended the lead to eight late in the game and the Lady Vols could not recover. Senior Megan Hudson's tough serving set up a Hudson and Brigitte Slack block to end game one.
Tennessee fought back in game two to build a seven point lead over the Tide. However, Alabama did not give in as all four seniors came up big in game two to push the Tide past Tennessee, 30-28. Fuentez tallied nine kills and eight digs in the game, including the game winning kill on an assist from Slack.
The Tide took control from the beginning in game three with its offensive force. Alabama recorded 19 kills to Tennessee's 13 and hit a match high .450. Hudson and Webster teamed up for back-to-back kills to finish the game and the match.
The Crimson Tide is back in action Wednesday night in the CAVE to play host to Mississippi State. Admission to the event is $3 and children and UA students are free. For match information, visit www.rolltide.com.
