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University at Buffalo
7-0
Davidson
5-2
Bulls Down Davidson In Four Sets To Remain Unbeaten
9/13/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
ATLANTA, GA – The University at Buffalo volleyball team began play at the Georgia State Invitational on Friday evening with a 3-1 victory over Davidson. The win improved UB's record to 7-0 on the season.
The Bulls took the match 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 25-20 as they outhit Davidson, .185 to .135. UB had to fight back early in the match as it was down 10-5 to Davidson in the opening set. UB remained down five at 16-11 when the Bulls went on a 9-1 run, capped off on a double block from Amber Hatchett and senior Kaja Schirmer. The Bulls went on to win the opening set, 25-21. The second set was a back-and-forth affair where UB was unable to hold on to a late lead and fell, 25-23, which tied the match up at one set a piece.
UB had its best set in the third as it opened up the set on a 7-3 run. The Bulls led 10-8 when they went on an 11-5 run to take a 21-13 lead in the set. UB went on to win the set, 25-16 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Bulls got out to another big lead in the fourth set, leading 9-4 after a kill from senior Christine Fritsche. Davidson pulled back within one at 12-11, but a quick 6-1 run from UB put it back up 18-12. Davidson again pulled within two at 22-20, but a Wildcat ball handling error moved UB's lead to 23-20 and the final two points came on service aces from junior Taylor Pritchett.
"We fought through some adversity tonight and beat a very good Davidson team," said head coach Todd Kress. "We blocked well when we needed to and got some big points at the service line. We are happy to get the victory, but know we have two more tough matches tomorrow."
Fritsche led the way with 18 kills as she notched a double-double by adding 11 digs. Sophomore Tahleia Bishop also finished in double figures in kills with 15. Sophomore Akeila Lain and senior Carissa McKenna each added nine kills. Lain was playing in her home state for the first time in her career.
The Bulls tied a season-high with nine services aces, including a career-best five from Pritchett, who also had 26 assists. Senior Dani Reinert added 27 assists and nine digs.
Defensively, senior Kelly Svoboda finished with a match-high 19 digs and added one ace. As a team, UB finished with 10.0 total blocks, including five from McKenna. Hatchett and Bishop each added four.
The Bulls continue play at Georgia State with a pair of matches tomorrow. UB faces Central Florida at 12:00 pm and the host Panthers at 7:30 pm.
