Oct. 10, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Despite winning its first match in SEC play on Friday, South Carolina (4-13, 1-6 SEC) could not keep the momentum rolling, as Alabama (9-8, 1-6 SEC) took a three-set decision, 25-19, 25-18, 25-16, in the Coleman Auxiliary Volleyball Extension on Sunday afternoon.
Freshman Juliette Thévenin led the squad with nine kills, while senior Hannah Lawing posted a match-best 11 digs and two aces. Kayla Fitterer led all players with 17 kills and a .533 hitting percentage for Alabama. Alyssa Meuth added eight kills, while Kelsey Anderson made 10 digs. Leigh Moyer had four blocks and three kills as well for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama took the first set, 25-19, running out to a 14-5 lead after taking eight points out of a nine-point series. The Gamecocks fought back with a four-point skein, as Lawing had two kills in the stretch. Twice, South Carolina got within four points, but Alabama ended it with a kill from Meuth and a Gamecock error. Meuth had five kills and Fitterer four, both without making an error. The Tide hit .412 in the first, while the Gamecocks hit .273.
The Tide got a five-point run to blow things open in the second, taking the set, 25-18. Fitterer landed two kills in the decisive stretch and seven in the frame. The Gamecocks made things interesting with a four-point stand on Alabama’s set point, but Fitterer ended it with a cross-court kill. The Tide hit .345 in the second set.
Behind a big seven-point stand, Alabama took the third set, 25-16. Moyer had a pair of kills as well as a block assist in the stretch that made it 17-8. Once again, South Carolina tried to make a late charge, but Calli Johnson ended that with a spike off the quick set. Fitterer had six more kills in the final frame, while Alabama held the Gamecocks to a -.040 hitting percentage.
Alabama dominated most categories, but the Gamecocks did win the digs battle, 45-35. For the match, the Tide out-hit South Carolina .351 to .144.
The Gamecocks return home for a four-match home stand, starting with Friday’s 6 p.m. match against Georgia at the Volleyball Competition Facility.
