Nov. 9, 2008

Final Stats

HOUSTON, Texas -- Nevena Stefanov managed a season-high 58 assists Sunday, but the UAB volleyball team dropped a 3-2 (29-27, 13-25, 22-25, 29-27, 15-4) decision on the road at Houston.

The Blazers suffered their second five-set loss of the weekend after falling 3-2 Friday at Rice. With the loss, UAB now stands at 22-5 overall and 12-3 in Conference USA matches. Houston improved to 17-11 overall and 9-6 in league play.

After Houston won a tight first set, UAB regrouped to take the next two. The Blazers then built a 20-15 lead in the fourth set and were just five points away from taking the match. But Houston would not go away. The Cougars stormed back to win the fourth set and carried that momentum to a victory in the fifth, as well.

In the loss, UAB outside hitter Ivana Bozic posted her 16th double-double of the season, tallying 21 kills and 14 digs. Lilly Domingos joined Bozic in double-digit kills, matching her career high with 16, while Casey Dent added 12.

Five Blazers registered double-figure digs in the match, led by MacKenzie Wilson with a career-high 17. Heather Thomas and Aleksandra Vujovic matched Bozic with 14 digs, while Stefanov added 11 for her eighth double-double of the year. Stefanov's 58-assist performance marked her third straight outing with more than 50 helpers.

In addition to matching her career-high for kills, Domingos also tied her season-best in blocks with eight.

In the Houston win, Justine Farmer led the Cougars with a match-best 26 kills. Kelsey King dished out 47 assists for Houston, while Amanda Carson tallied a team-high 16 digs.

UAB now has one match remaining before the Conference USA Tournament. The Blazers will travel to Memphis next Sunday for a 1 p.m. first serve.