UTEP volleyball drops match to UAB

The UTEP Volleyball team (7-10, 0-4) fell to UAB (10-7, 2-2) in three sets (22-25, 18-25, 21-25), 3-0, on Friday evening at Memorial Gym.

“We just got out played. We are trying to manufacture ways with our injuries to keep ourselves in matches. But we errored our way out of this match. We had 11 hitting errors in the third set alone,” Head coach Ben Wallis said.  “You can’t beat anyone in college volleyball when you error yourself out of matches. There is no excuse for continuing to go up and hit the ball out of bounds, touch the net or serve it in the bottom of the net.”

Cheyenne Jones posted a team-high 10 kills. Serena Patterson locked in nine kills with a solo block. Kristen Fritsche notched 13 assists and a squad-high 10 digs. Mallory Yost and Anamarija Mikovic anchored the defense with two blocks each.

“We find ways to make it 12 all or 14 all, but we struggle to get ahead because we aren’t giving ourselves opportunities to score points in long runs. I have to make sure that we get back in the gym and find ways to get these guys to play better volleyball. We have a tough one again on Sunday, and we will have to find a way to score points when the match gets close,” Wallis added

The first set was a close contest, as the Miners were down one, 21-20, late in the frame. However, UAB would out score UTEP 4-1 to take the first game.

The Blazers opened up the second frame with a 10-5 lead and never looked back. UAB took the set 25-18, and held a two-game advantage.

The Orange and Blue were in the game, as the third set was tied 13-13. Although, the Blazers would go on a 7-1 run, regaining the momentum. UAB would end up taking the frame, 25-21, after a late push by UTEP.

Next up, the Miners will take on the Lady Techsters on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 12 p.m. MT.