Southern Miss
-1412 (65 CUSA)
UAB
-1313 (57 CUSA)
Golden Eagles Extinguish Blazers
11/2/2018 10:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The battle between the Southern Miss volleyball team and UAB was a crucial one as the two teams head down the home stretch of Conference USA play. The Golden Eagles, backed by Kyle Grandy's 19 kills, defeated the Blazers in four sets (25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23) to move to 6-5 in C-USA play.Â
Southern Miss dominated the first set just like they have all season long. It jumped to 6-1 lead and forced UAB to use an early time out. The timeout did little for the Blazers, which resulted in the Golden Eagles extending their lead to 13-5. They led by as many as 11 en route to a 25-16 opening set win.Â
UAB stole the second set as the Golden Eagles were unable to recover from an early deficit. A Grandy service ace cut the Blazers' lead to 23-19, but Southern Miss wouldn't get any closer in a 25-20 set-two loss. However, after hitting a game-high .565 percent in the first set, the Golden Eagles responded in the third set and utilized a 6-0 run to pull ahead by six points. UAB bounced back and forced some pressure, but Southern Miss hung on for a win in the third set.Â
In what would end up being the final set, Southern Miss trailed by five midway through it. Backed by a Chandler Marshall kill, the Golden Eagles embarked on an 8-2 run to pull ahead by one point. After dominating at the net with 11 blocks, it was only fitting that Ashley Berry and Alexis Coombs combined for a block at the net to end the game.Â
In total, six different Golden Eagles recorded a block and Catherine Repsher had a game-high six. Repsher also added 10 kills and two service aces. The Golden Eagles finished with a .339 hitting percentage, while Coombs hit .500. Sarah Bell finished with 39 blocks, five kills, nine digs and three blocks.Â
Southern Miss will be back in action on Sunday against North Texas. Senior Day festivities will get underway at 1 p.m. at Reed Green Coliseum.Â
