Volleyball team splits pair of three game matches
The Frogs handled Alabama-Birmingham in three games, then were exposed by conference leader South Florida in two home matches this weekend.
By Jay Armstrong
Skiff Staff

The volleyball team split a pair of games last weekend defeating Alabama-Birmingham in three games and falling to conference leader South Florida in three. The split means the Frogs (10-13, 2-5 C-USA) maintain 10th place and stay in a position to advance to the conference tournament with just six matches to play in the regular season. The win over UAB was the Frogs’ first conference win at home since Oct. 6th of last season, and only the team’s second win at home this season.

The team played their most consistent match of the season against UAB on Friday night, according to junior setter Tori Barlow.

“We pushed one to thirty the entire match,” Barlow said. “Usually we get to twenty with the other team and back off a bit. We were more coachable tonight. Just jumping out at the beginning set the tone for the match and really helped.”

Several different things finally clicked on Friday night against the Blazers, according to freshman outside hitter Hayley Harmon.

“Our defense was good and we were placing the ball well making them adjust to what we were doing,” Harmon said.

Saturday night against South Florida was a slightly different story, as the Frogs ran into a Bull squad that played better.

Head coach Prentice Lewis said her team did some good things, despite the three game loss to the talented Bulls.

“Games one and three were played very well, we made things happen” Lewis said. “We had the chance to knock off the toughest team in the conference. We came out and battled.”

The team looks to continue its bid for postseason play with visits to DePaul and Marquette this weekend. The Blue Demons and Golden Eagles are currently tied for thirteenth in C-USA.

Jay Armstrong