CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The King University women's volleyball team dropped their opening game of the Lee Invitational Thursday night, falling 3-0 to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Alabama-Huntsville 3, King 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-11)
LOCATION: Paul Dana Walker Arena; Cleveland, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-4; Alabama-Huntsville 5-4
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- After the Chargers took a 12-10 lead, Katie Harless delivered two consecutive service aces, tying the match at 12 and forcing UAH to take a timeout.
- Coming out of the timeout, the Tornado picked up another point on a UAH attack error, taking a 13-12 lead.
- The Tornado would go on a 4-0 run a short time later, punctuated by a block by Abigail Belcher and Georgia Davis, but were unable to pull ahead, dropping the set 25-22
Second Set
- King opened a 7-2 lead to start the set, thanks in part to kills from Julie Ward, Davis and Hailee Blankenship. Ward also contributed a service ace.
- After the Chargers came storming back, the teams exchanged leads, with the Tornado making a late charge thanks to kills from Allie Zimmerman and a pair from Ward, but the Chargers would eventually take the set 25-21.
Third Set
- After UAH raced out to a 16-5 lead, the Tornado went on a slight run, scoring five unanswered points.
- Zimmerman and Abigail Belcher kick started the run with three consecutive blocks, while Carolina Cable picked up a service ace and a kill to make it 23-10.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Ward recorded nine kills, leaving her five away from reaching the 1,000 career kills mark
- Zimmerman and Belcher both had eight block assists on the night to lead King in that category
- Harless and Paula La Mendola both had a pair of service aces on the night
FOR THE FOES
- Emma Jarrett led the Chargers, with 10 kills along with three blocks
- Molly Presnel had six kills, along with four service aces
- Sabrina Duncan had 33 set assists on the night
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Ward continues to lead the Tornado offense, recording 51 kills on the season. She is currently sitting at 995 career kills.
- The 11 total blocks that the Tornado recorded are their second-most of the season, behind the 22 they posted in their 3-2 win over Emory & Henry.
Up Next
- The Tornado are back in action at the Lee Invitational Friday afternoon, as they will take on Shorter University at 2 p.m. and the host Lee Flames at 7 p.m.
- UAH has just one match scheduled Friday, as they will take on Young Harris at 1:30 p.m.
