Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest University
UAB (Black & Gold Challenge)
Volleyball Sweeps UAB 3-0
9/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2002
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest volleyball team beat UAB 3-0 Friday night in the opening day of the Black & Gold Challenge that the Demon Deacons are hosting in Reynolds Gym. Wake Forest posted scores of 30-20, 30-23 and 30-25 to sweep the Blazers in three straight games. Holding UAB to 26 kills on 89 attempts, the Demon Deacons nearly doubled their opponent's team offense in the same amount of tries, putting away 47 kills on 90 attacks.
"I am very pleased with our performance tonight," said Wake Forest head coach Valorie Baker. "I thought our offense was well rounded, with four players hitting .400 or better, which is incredible. Valerie Rydberg had a very nice match with eight digs, hitting .462 and some solid passing. She was very consistent throughout the entire match. When we put our freshman setter, Erin Borhart, into the last game I was pleased with how our team maintained the same level of play."
Sophomore middle blocker Kim Stern led the Demon Deacon attack with 12 kills, three service aces and a solo block. Junior middle blocker Jessica Hauff had 10 kills on 15 attempts with only one error for a scorching 60 percent attack percentage. Senior setter Ashlee Phillips led the way 29 assists and Ashley Fisher, Rydberg and Tarah Shelton each had eight digs.
Kristi Lee led UAB with seven kills. Dina Katsoulis had 22 assists and four digs.
In the first game of the tournament, San Diego State came back from behind to beat Winthrop 3-1. After stumbling 30-25 in the first game, the Aztecs rattled off 30-13, 30-27 and 30-16 victories over the Eagles. Melissa Cansdale led San Diego State with 16 kills and Jennifer Pritchard led Winthrop with 14 kills.
Wake Forest improves to 4-6 with the win and UAB falls to 3-9 with the loss. San Diego State stands 7-6 and Winthrop is now 8-4. The Black & Gold Challenge continues tomorrow with four more matches. UAB and San Diego State will get things started at 11:00 a.m. and then Wake Forest will take on Winthrop at 1:00 p.m. Winthrop and UAB will square off at 5:00 p.m. and then Wake Forest will face San Diego State in the tournament's final match at 7:00 p.m.
