Volleyball Streak Ends at UAB :: Whitehead records 12 kills in loss

Sept. 17, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford's five match winning streak came to an end Tuesday night as the Bulldogs fell in three games to UAB at Bartow Arena.

Alyssa Whitehead did her part for the Bulldogs recording 12 kills on 24 swings from the outside. Angela Smith provided seven kills and Brooke Berryman five kills and 11 digs as the Bulldogs dropped to 6-6 on the season.

Samford's had its serve receive to blame. UAB recorded five aces and scored numerous points on Bulldog overpasses. UAB's Martina Shields had 19 kills to pace the Blazers who improved to 3-8. Karen Boyd had 18 kills while Kristi Lee added 10 kills and 11 digs.

"I am disappointed in the effort we showed tonight," said Samford head coach Kris Dorn. "I think we became complacent with winning last weekend and UAB came out with more determination than we did."

Samford began the match by taking a 15-10 lead in game one behind the attack of Whitehead and Berryman. UAB answered by making a 9-4 run to tie the game at 19. UAB had four of its seven blocks in the opening game a came out with a 30-27 win. In game two the teams played point for point until it was tied at 10-10. Then Samford's serve receive broke down and the Blazers went on a 12-4 run to lead 22-14 and went on to the 30-19 victory to lead two games to none.

UAB jumped out early in game three. The Blazers would lead 10-5, 15-10, and 20-14, before Samford made a run to get back into the match. The Bulldogs went on a 11-5 run to tie the game at 25. After a sideout, UAB recorded two straight service aces to lead 28-25. The Bulldogs fought off two game points before tying the game at 30. Samford would end up fighting off four games points before finally falling 34-32.

Samford will have 10 days before it travels to Boca Raton, Fla., to open Atlantic Sun play against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 27.