JACKSON, Tenn. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team secured a milestone victory Tuesday night, sweeping Union University 3-0 inside Fred DeLay Gymnasium to give head coach
Ed Allen his 750th career win.
The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs by scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-20, improving to 22-2 overall and 9-1 in Gulf South Conference play. The victory marked West Alabama's fourth consecutive win and a strong start to the second half of conference competition.
HOW IT HAPPENED
West Alabama opened the match with an early 10-4 advantage behind kills from
Katerina Korre, Klára Bobánová and
Duru Seber. Back-to-back service aces from Korre extended the lead to 15-10, but Union responded with a late surge to erase the deficit and take a 20-19 lead.
Following a West Alabama timeout, Korre delivered a crucial kill to even the score at 20. Consecutive Union attack errors returned the advantage to the Tigers before Seber recorded two late kills to help secure the opening set, 25-21.
The second set remained competitive early, with both teams trading points before reaching a 6-6 tie. West Alabama began to pull away behind its defensive pressure and strong serving, building a 12-8 advantage.
Union cut the deficit to 17-15, but the Tigers responded with three consecutive points to regain control. Korre delivered three kills during West Alabama's final five points before closing the set with a service ace to give the Tigers a 25-18 victory.
Union challenged West Alabama again in the third set, overcoming an early deficit to take a 10-9 lead. The Tigers responded with a scoring run highlighted by a service ace from
Ola Winiarek and a kill from Korre to regain momentum.
West Alabama extended its lead to 21-14 behind contributions from
Cadence Goeden and Seber. Despite a late push from the Bulldogs, Korre delivered the match-winning kill to complete the sweep, 25-20.
ALLEN REACHES 750 CAREER WINS
Tuesday's victory marked a significant milestone for Allen, who reached 750 career wins during his second season leading West Alabama.
Named the Tigers' 16th head volleyball coach in December 2024, Allen brought more than three decades of coaching experience to Livingston.
Throughout his career, Allen has led programs at Anderson, Presbyterian, Tulsa, Alabama and Southern Illinois, collecting nine conference championships, six NCAA Tournament appearances and six Conference Coach of the Year honors.
TIGERS LEAD THE WAY
Korre earned Player of the Match honors after leading West Alabama with a match-high 11 kills while hitting .280. She also recorded three service aces, five digs and two blocks, finishing with a match-high 16 points.
Bobánová followed with nine kills, while Goeden added seven and Seber contributed five while hitting .400.
Rachele Zanini directed the offense with 27 assists, while
Ava LaCoste and
Charlotte Kerscher each recorded nine digs.
Union was led offensively by Elizabeth Gilbert, who finished with nine kills while hitting .353. Julia Stuible contributed four block assists and two solo blocks to the Bulldogs' defensive effort.
West Alabama finished with 33 kills and a .213 hitting percentage while limiting Union to .117. The Tigers also recorded nine service aces in the victory.
UP NEXT
West Alabama will have Friday off before returning to Gulf South Conference action Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Tigers travel to Clinton, Mississippi, to face Mississippi Christian University. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
