No. 33 Haley Jared prepares to spike the ball in the game against Troy. Photo by Ian KeelTrinity Dix - Contributortri915@uab.edu
The UAB women’s volleyball team was victorious over rival Troy in a 3-2 win over the Trojans on Tuesday, Sept. 13, but stumbled in the second annual Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational, losing all three games.
In Tuesday night’s game, the Blazers won the first set 25-21, but by the second and third sets, the Trojans turned the game around and took the lead over UAB 2-1. Troy took the second set 25-19 and the third set 25-21.
At the end of the fourth set, the Blazers’ defense worked together and brought the team back on its feet, winning 25-20 and tying up the game 2-2 before securing the match in the final set.
“We played well tonight,” said head coach Kerry Messersmith. “We had our ups and downs, but all in all, I think the kids fought hard, and that’s a big deal for us. They’re learning how to win.”
In the first set, UAB standout No. 5 Erika Zembyla – the opposite hitter and non-starter for the team – spiked the ball back to the Trojans and down to the ground, earning the team a point and catching them up. There were several instances when the Blazers were close to giving the point to Troy, but they saved the ball at least three times and returned it to the Trojans.
“Every time we come out, we gain more and more confidence,” said Messersmith. “This match was certainly a nice way to start our week.”
Despite the win, though, Messersmith said the team still has room for improvement.
“We just need to continue improving on everything,” Messersmith said. “Passing and serving are the two areas that we probably need to spend on tomorrow to be ready for the weekend.”
Over the weekend, UAB hosted the second annual Fight Like Hal Memorial Tournament to honor the late assistant volleyball coach Hal Messersmith. Messersmith’s wife Kerry is currently the team’s head coach.
The Blazers suffered three defeats in the invitational, conceding 3-1 to the UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns on Thursday, Sept. 15, 3-1 to the Memphis Tigers 3-1 and 3-0 UT Martin Skyhawks on Friday, Sept. 16.
The Blazers are set to open conference play against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in Bartow Arena on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
