By: by KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. - Justine Young led Kennesaw State for the fourth straight match in kills, tallying 10 as the KSU volleyball team fell to UAB, 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18), in the final match of the 2011 Owls Classic.
"UAB just keeps coming at you rotation after rotation with more size at every spot on the floor," said KSU head coach Karen Weatherington. "I'm not happy with the end result of the match, but I'm very pleased with the effort we had tonight against one of the best teams in our region."
Young and Holly Knight were both named to the All-Tournament team for their performances this weekend. Young averaged 4.46 kills per set and broke the KSU record for kills in a match with 25 against Troy in KSU's Saturday morning match. Knight led the team with 11 total blocks (0.85 per set) and hit at a clip of .312 for the weekend.
The Owls (4-7) trailed in the first set, 11-5, but rallied back to even the score at 12. A kill by Young sparked a rally that had kills by Sara Metroka, Emily Bean, and Chadé Martin. The Blazers (7-2) would answer back with a six-point spurt of their own, using three straight service aces to build the lead to 18-12. The Owls would pull within three as a Knight kill made the score 22-19; however, UAB would be too much for the Owls to handle in the opening set as one of three blocks by the Blazers ended the set, 25-20.
Set two saw the UAB attack at a clip that was nearly as hot as the name of their mascot. The Blazers hit at an impressive .484 percentage for the set, and while Young had five kills in the frame, it wouldn't be enough to lift KSU. UAB took the set, 25-15, for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five.
The third set would be the most competitive of the match, featuring nine ties and six lead changes. UAB led early, 9-6, but the Owls answered back. A kill by Knight was followed with a service ace by the senior to bring KSU within a point. After consecutive kills by Young, KSU took the lead, 10-9.
The lead would continue to change hands, with the Owls grabbing a, 13-12, lead after a Young kill. That slim lead would be the final lead of the night as the Blazers went on a key, 6-0, run to take the lead, 18-13. With six match points in hand, the Blazers would end the night on a block by Michelle Simmons and Classic MVP Sam Serley, capping a 25-18 set.
Playing without starters Alyssa Lang and Baylee Strachan this weekend due to injuries, the Owls got good contributions from almost the entire roster. Freshman Keyaira Stevenson averaged 2.92 kills per set and dug up opposition attacks at a clip of 3.31 per set. Metroka averaged 10.54 assists per set running the KSU offense, and also was credited with 12 kills over the three matches. Rachael Albright was efficient in the libero position for the first time in her career, averaging 4.15 digs per set and tying her career-high with 26 digs in the win over Eastern Kentucky Friday night.
UAB won the tournament, sweeping the Owls, EKU and Troy en route to championship. Joining Serley on the All-Tournament team from UAB was Kate Morrell and Heather Thomas. Thomas also holds the distinction of breaking the UAB school record for career digs during the weekend's action.
The Owls will be off until Friday when they travel to Denton, Texas for the North Texas Volleyball Classic. The Owls will meet Jackson State at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Live audio will be available for the match via this website.
