LIVINGSTON, Ala. – It was a mixture of youth and experience for the West Alabama volleyball team (17-8, 5-3 GSC) Tuesday night as freshman Sadie Beam teamed with senior Alexis McHale to push the Tigers past Alabama-Huntsville at Pruitt Hall.
 
McHale continues her record-breaking year, adding 47 assists to her school-record total. Meanwhile, Beam is still hitting the ball hard for the Tigers, leading the squad with 19 kills to help the Red and White to a 3-1 triumph against the Chargers.
 
“We got better this weekend,” said the victorious head coach Tabitha Turner. “Honestly, for a month and a half there we weren't getting better, and this weekend we got better and it showed tonight.”
 
UWA was put to the test early by the struggling Chargers after UAH won a 25-20 contest in the first game. Down 1-0, West Alabama would be in a fight the rest of the way.
 
Each of the remaining three games were won by a total margin of 12 points, with the Tigers taking a tight 25-22 win in the second game, followed by a close 26-24 triumph in the third and a 25-18 victory in the fourth and final set.
 
Statistically, UAH held the advantage in the hitting percentage category, out hitting the Tigers by five percentage points. UWA hit .267, while the Chargers held a .272 clip in that category. However, it was Turner's squad that accounted for 66 total kills compared to UAH's 53 kill total.
 
The Tigers now head to the state of Georgia this weekend to play in two pivotal GSC contests. UWA faces off with West Georgia Friday night at 6 p.m., before taking on Valdosta State at 1 p.m. Saturday.
 
Fans can follow the Tigers all season long on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UWAathletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/UWAVolleyball). Additionally, fans may also sign up to receive SMS text alerts at www.uwaathletics.com.