University of Georgia Athletics
Sunday, November 8
Athens, Ga.
2:00 p.m.
University of Georgia
3-3,3-3SEC
3
vs
0
Alabama
1-5,1-5SEC
1
2
3
F
Alabama
23
21
22
0
Georgia
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Tony Walsh
Georgia Sweeps Alabama in Fall Home Finale, 3-0
November 08, 2020 | Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia women's volleyball team earned its first sweep of the 2020 season Sunday with a 3-0 win over Alabama at Stegeman Coliseum (25-23, 25-21, 25-22).
Sunday's match was the final home match in Athens in the fall. Four senior student-athletes (Brynn Chandler, Kaylah House, Rachel Ritchie, Kianna Young) were honored prior to the match.
Sophomore Amber Stivrins tipped the double-digit kill mark with 11 on Sunday. She also tallied five digs and a block. Offensively, junior Mallory Hernandez picked up seven kills, along with three blocks, and sophomore Kacie Evans registered six kills.
Defensively, Evans led the team with eight digs while freshman Pheobe Awoleye led the team with four blocks and three different Bulldogs all had three total blocks. As a team, Georgia (3-3) put up 10 blocks.
At the service line, Evans picked up three of Georgia's eight total service aces.
The opening stanza was the closest of the match as the set featured 12 ties and five lead changes. Down 12-10, Georgia rattled off three-straight to take a 13-12 lead. Alabama (1-5) responded to eventually open a 21-16 lead on the Bulldogs. Georgia cut it to 21-20 before Alabama halted the 4-0 run to hold a 22-20 lead. The Dawgs responded and surged to win five of the next six rallies and take the opening set, 25-23. The set was the first opening-set win for Georgia this season.
The Bulldogs opened an 11-point lead in the second stanza, leading 18-7. Alabama strung together four-straight points to cut into the lead, 18-11 and Georgia took its first timeout. With Georgia ahead 22-14, Alabama was able to vastly narrow the lead down the stretch to 24-21, but a kill from Evans ended the set, 25-21, and gave Georgia the two-set lead.
Georgia never trailed in the third set and used a 5-0 run early to take a 14-7 lead. The Bulldogs were able to keep the Tide at bay, drawing set point at 24-19. Alabama then strung together three-straight to cut the lead at 24-22, forcing a timeout from the Georgia bench. A block from junior Kayla Rivera ended the set and the match, 25-22.
Georgia travels to Gainesville, Florida Nov. 20 and 21 to take on No. 4 Florida. The match on Friday, Nov. 20 will air on SEC Network. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
Head Coach Tom Black
On the difference from Saturday to Sunday...
"I thought we were passing better, and we had a couple more hitters stepping up. I thought Mallory Hernandez had a big night, and Kacie Evans was pretty effective offensively. That took pressure off of Amber [Stivrins]. I thought they served pretty tough. We handled that better, so our offense could pick up."
On Amber Stivrins' performance...
"Amber [Stivrins] is a beast. She's someone who shows up every night. She had a really good offensive night last night but struggled on serve receive. It was really impressive how she responded. She was a lot better on serve receive today, and she's just going to keep getting better. Her mentality is definitely something that we can build upon."
On getting the win on senior day...
"The seniors have done a ton for us, and we still have a long way to go. It's a unique season, so we get to play all spring also. They have a lot more to give us, so we're glad to keep them around. It was great to get a win for them on this day."
Sunday's match was the final home match in Athens in the fall. Four senior student-athletes (Brynn Chandler, Kaylah House, Rachel Ritchie, Kianna Young) were honored prior to the match.
Sophomore Amber Stivrins tipped the double-digit kill mark with 11 on Sunday. She also tallied five digs and a block. Offensively, junior Mallory Hernandez picked up seven kills, along with three blocks, and sophomore Kacie Evans registered six kills.
Defensively, Evans led the team with eight digs while freshman Pheobe Awoleye led the team with four blocks and three different Bulldogs all had three total blocks. As a team, Georgia (3-3) put up 10 blocks.
At the service line, Evans picked up three of Georgia's eight total service aces.
The opening stanza was the closest of the match as the set featured 12 ties and five lead changes. Down 12-10, Georgia rattled off three-straight to take a 13-12 lead. Alabama (1-5) responded to eventually open a 21-16 lead on the Bulldogs. Georgia cut it to 21-20 before Alabama halted the 4-0 run to hold a 22-20 lead. The Dawgs responded and surged to win five of the next six rallies and take the opening set, 25-23. The set was the first opening-set win for Georgia this season.
The Bulldogs opened an 11-point lead in the second stanza, leading 18-7. Alabama strung together four-straight points to cut into the lead, 18-11 and Georgia took its first timeout. With Georgia ahead 22-14, Alabama was able to vastly narrow the lead down the stretch to 24-21, but a kill from Evans ended the set, 25-21, and gave Georgia the two-set lead.
Georgia never trailed in the third set and used a 5-0 run early to take a 14-7 lead. The Bulldogs were able to keep the Tide at bay, drawing set point at 24-19. Alabama then strung together three-straight to cut the lead at 24-22, forcing a timeout from the Georgia bench. A block from junior Kayla Rivera ended the set and the match, 25-22.
Georgia travels to Gainesville, Florida Nov. 20 and 21 to take on No. 4 Florida. The match on Friday, Nov. 20 will air on SEC Network. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
Head Coach Tom Black
On the difference from Saturday to Sunday...
"I thought we were passing better, and we had a couple more hitters stepping up. I thought Mallory Hernandez had a big night, and Kacie Evans was pretty effective offensively. That took pressure off of Amber [Stivrins]. I thought they served pretty tough. We handled that better, so our offense could pick up."
On Amber Stivrins' performance...
"Amber [Stivrins] is a beast. She's someone who shows up every night. She had a really good offensive night last night but struggled on serve receive. It was really impressive how she responded. She was a lot better on serve receive today, and she's just going to keep getting better. Her mentality is definitely something that we can build upon."
On getting the win on senior day...
"The seniors have done a ton for us, and we still have a long way to go. It's a unique season, so we get to play all spring also. They have a lot more to give us, so we're glad to keep them around. It was great to get a win for them on this day."
Team Stats
Bama
UGa
Kills
33
33
Errors
23
20
Attempts
90
92
Hitting %
.111
.141
Points
42
51
Assists
31
28
Aces
4
8
Blocks
5
10
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
S
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