Nov. 24, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -

UAB 3, Memphis 0

Memphis (16-15; 7-12 C-USA)	16  14  19
UAB (12-19; 9-10 C-USA) 	25  25  25

Memphis libero Christine Bach picked up a match-high 25 digs and Marija Jovanovic led all players with 12 kills, but the Tigers were unable to slow a streaking UAB club in a three-set loss at Bartow Arena on Wednesday. Memphis drops to 16-15 overall; 7-12 in C-USA play. UAB collects it fourth-straight win and improves to 12-19; 9-10 in league action.

The Tiger hit just .042 for the match, and Altrese Hawkins was the only other Tiger hitter to record more than three kills, finishing the night with nine. Hajnalka Molnar set a match-high 22 assists.

Memphis scored the match's first point and led 3-2 after a kill by Altrese Hawkins. However, the Tigers were unable to get into a rhythm for the remainder of the set. A Blazers kill, combined with two blocks and three consecutive U of M hitting errors made up a 6-0 UAB run and the Blazers rode that momentum to a 25-16 set-one triumph. Trailing 8-3, Altrese Hawkins stopped the run with the second of the three first-set strikes. But that did not slow the streaking Blazers as the Tigers saw their deficit balloon to 20-12. The Tigers hit .000 on nine kills in the opener. UAB did not fare much better at .175 with 11 kills.

The two teams battled back and forth through six ties and for the second-straight set, the Tigers gave up a rally at a critical point. Tied 6-6, UAB scored on seven of eight serves to take a 13-7 lead. Memphis never recovered. Staring at a 20-14 deficit, the Tigers saw the Blazers finish the set off with five consecutive points in a 25-14 decision. The UAB offense amped up its offensive efficiency, connecting for a .393 average on 14 kills.

UAB used a late-set rally to turn 15-15 tie into a favorable lead. The Blazers outscored the Tigers 10-4 over the final 14 serves to claim the sweep. For the third consecutive set, Memphis was held under .100 hitting, at .081 with 11 kills.

The Tigers will wrap up the 2010 season against the Blazers on Sat., Nov. 27. First serve at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7 p.m.