LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team steps out of Gulf South Conference play Tuesday night as the Tigers travel to Fairfield, Alabama, to face Miles College at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
West Alabama enters at 18-2 overall and 6-1 in GSC play after splitting a pair of road matches over the weekend. The Tigers outlasted Montevallo in five sets Friday behind Klára Bobánová's school-record 34 kills before falling in straight sets to UAH on Saturday. Tuesday provides an opportunity to regain momentum as the season moves into October.
THE MATCHUP
West Alabama holds a 9-0 advantage in the all-time series against Miles. In their most recent meeting on Sept. 10 at the UWA Invitational, the Tigers swept Miles, 25-12, 25-20 and 25-6, hitting .512 as a team behind Jazlyn Snow's 10 kills on 12 error-free attacks
The Golden Bears enter at 15-5 overall and 8-2 in SIAC play following a four-set victory over Fort Valley State on Saturday. Miles rallied from an opening-set loss to win the next three, including a 27-25 fourth set.
Kori Brown led Miles with 17 kills while hitting .394, while Karea Copeland added 16 kills and 14 digs. Alyzia Cola directed the offense with 38 assists, and Bailey Jones anchored the defense with 20 digs. Destinee Evans supplied seven of the Golden Bears' 11 service aces, adding another threat for the Tigers to prepare for Tuesday.
LAST TIME OUT
West Alabama fell to UAH, 3-0, on Saturday, with two sets decided by just two points. The Chargers won 28-26, 25-13 and 25-23 despite a strong offensive outing from Katerina Korre. Korre finished with 15 kills and just one error on 34 attacks for a .412 hitting percentage.
BOBÁNOVÁ COMING OFF HISTORIC WEEKEND
Klara Bobánová's 34 kills at Montevallo broke the UWA single-match record of 30 set by Taylor Donato on Sept. 14, 2019. She hit .424 on 66 attacks and delivered the kill that put the Tigers ahead 16-15 in the deciding set before a Montevallo attack error sealed the victory.
Following a quieter outing against UAH, Bobánová will look to rediscover that offensive rhythm as the Tigers pursue their 19th win.
ZANINI'S STRONG FRESHMAN START
Freshman setter Rachele Zanini has earned four of the GSC's first five Freshman of the Week awards, receiving the honor on Sept. 1, Sept. 8, Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. Teammate Duru Seber earned the Sept. 15 selection, giving West Alabama each of the season's first five awards.
Zanini continued her strong start with 62 assists and 14 digs against Montevallo before recording 27 assists, seven digs and three block assists at UAH.
BACK-ROW SUPPORT
Bailey Keef and Ola Winiarek provided steady defensive support throughout the weekend. Keef followed her 21-dig performance at Montevallo with 22 against UAH, while Winiarek contributed 12 and 19, respectively. Their back-row play will be important against a Miles team coming off an 11-ace performance.
MATCH INFORMATION
West Alabama Volleyball at Miles College West Alabama: 18-2 (6-1 GSC) | Miles: 15-5 (8-2 SIAC) Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 6 p.m. CT Knox-Windham Gymnasium | Fairfield, Ala.
