LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team bounced back from dropping its first set to Lee University to sweeping the next three sets and claiming 3-1 Gulf South Conference victory in Pruitt Hall Saturday.
West Alabama improves to 4-6 overall and 4-2 in the GSC. Lee falls 2-4 and 2-3.
The Flames jumped out to a 1-0 lead taking set one 25-18. The Tigers responded with a decisive 25-15 win in set two. With Lee taking a quick lead in the third set, UWA struck an 11-point run on its way to 25-22 set victory. A 25-21 win in set four secured the match for the Tigers.
"We came out a little sluggish in the first set and Lee definitely made us pay for it," said UWA head coach
Jordan Lay.
"They are a very sound ball team and if you don't come out ready to go that's going to happen. However, our girls rallied around each other and battled back. It was a complete team effort today. I am happy and proud of how the girls on the bench and on the floor stepped up."
Yanesha Johnson continued to be West Alabama's primary threat on the attack. She knocked down 11 kills on her was to 14.5 points, leading her team for the sixth consecutive match.
Liz Woodard followed Johnson posting nine kills and 11 points.
On defense,
Sadie Beam and
Callie Murphy combined for 27 digs, while
Jessica Voyles and Woodard each assisted on four blocks at the net.
Latrice Johnson, Erin Hill and Patty Orozco combined 31 kills for the Flames. Hill and Johnson each had three service aces.
Overall, Lee committed 30 errors on the attack, while UWA limited its mistakes to only 14. The tigers combined for .216 attack percentage. Lee finished with .136.
West Alabama remains at home to face defending GSC champions West Florida Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. in Pruitt Hall.
"West Florida has always been the big dogs of the conference," Lay said.
"Right now they're sitting at 10-0 overall. We feel really happy about the start we've had and we're going to continue to build on that. We will continue to stress our style of volleyball and dictate our pace of play. If we can do that and take care of the ball, we will have a good match on Tuesday."
