MEMPHIS, Tenn. – West Alabama volleyball bounced back in the fifth set, after Christian Brothers tied the match in the fourth, to win its second straight road victory 3-2 with a 15-12 fifth set win in Gulf South Conference action on Saturday.
West Alabama improves to 7-10 overall and now sits tied for fifth place in the GSC standings with Alabama Huntsville at 5-5. Christian Brothers dips to 6-11 and 3-7.
The Tigers responded to falling 25-19 in set one with 25-20 wins in both sets two and three. CBU won the equalizing set four 25-14.
"This has been a great weekend for the team," said UWA head coach
Jordan Lay.
"They faced two tough opponents and came out on top. They stuck together, kept their poise and fought hard for these wins. CBU is a very good scrappy team. We really had to amp up of our level of intensity today. The ladies buckled down defensively and at the net. Our attack kept working different shots to open up point scoring opportunities and our setters gave them different looks. All in all, they did an outstanding job rallying back to win the match."
Although UWA posted only two less kills than its opponent, three Tigers finished with double-digit kill numbers.
Briana Sandifer added her second consecutive double-double with 13 kills and 14 digs, while
Yanesha Johnson led the team with 14 kills.
Morgan Ray followed Sandifer with 12 kills.
On defense,
Jaime Lancellot assisted on six of the team's nine blocks.
Liz Woodard added four more assists, while
Taylin McCarver finished with one solo block and two assists. Vic Collins and
Callie Murphy followed Sandifer's lead on digs, each totaling 11. Murphy finished with a double-double with 28 assists.
Together the Tigers compiled the most single-game services aces this season with 13. Collins and Murphy totaled three each, while Johnson, Lancellot and
Abby Ames each added two.
"This puts us on a good path going into the second half of our conference schedule," Lay said. "We are excited to get back to the gym Monday."
West Alabama volleyball remains on the road to take on in-state GSC rival North Alabama on Tuesday. The match is set for 6 p.m. in Florence, Ala.
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