SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – West Alabama volleyball edged Illinois-Springfield 3-2, and later downed Ohio Valley 3-1 in its second match to complete the sweep on the final day of the UIS Capital Classic.
The Tigers improve to 3-1 on the season. UIS falls to 1-2, while OVU moves to 0-4 on the year.
"Today was a testament to what this team is capable of," said UWA head coach
Alexis Meeks. "Going up two sets, losing the next two and then winning in five shows how much grit this team has. Every single person had an impact on our wins and that's a true team. I could not be more proud of what was accomplished this weekend. We have so much to look forward to this season."
West Alabama bested the Prairie Stars 25-22 in both of the first two sets before dropping the third and fourth sets 16-25 and 21-25. The Tigers took the match victory, defeating Illinois-Springfield in the fifth set 18-16.
Briana Sandifer and
Yanesha Johnson each posted double-doubles, with Sandifer recording 18 kills and 12 digs and Johnson with 20 kills and 12 digs.
Abby Ames also tallied 12 digs, while
Callie Murphy finished with 11 digs.
UIS combined to hit a .250 attack percentage, while UWA finished with .200. Alli Splitt led the Prairie Star attack with 21 kills, while Kayla Katarzynski posted a team-high 20 digs. Tiffany Sunderlin picked up a double-double, tallying 15 kills and 12 digs.
The Tigers commanded the attack against Ohio Valley, combining for a .186 attack percentage while holding the Fighting Scots to .056. UWA was especially dominant in the fourth set, posting a .393 attack percentage, while holding OVU to .031.
Sandifer posted her second-double double of the day with 20 kills and 10 digs. Johnson and
Alex Fuelling each accounted for 14 digs, while Ames posted 12 digs.
OVU's Alyx Henry recorded a double-double, accounting for 20-of-38 kills while posting 11 digs. Kelsey Johnson led the Fighting Scots in digs with 19, while Kasey Williams recorded 12 digs.
West Alabama will remain on the road to compete Bettye Wallace Invitational in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The Tigers will face Pittsburgh State at 9 a.m. and Southern Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9.
