UWA volleyball opens with sweep of Tuskegee

LIVINGSTON, Ala. –The first step in the journey for the 2018 West Alabama Volleyball team was a positive one as the Tigers earned a 3-0 sweep over the visiting Tuskegee Golden Tigers in Pruitt Hall Saturday afternoon. The match served as the regular season opener for both squads.

“This was an outstanding match for us because we finally started to find our rhythm,” said Head coach Alexis Meeks. “These past few weeks we’ve lacked a little bit of connection in our offense and fluid movement with our defense and this was the first time I’ve seen them put it all together. We had some big-time defensive plays as well as some great swings up at the net and Kassie is starting to find what hitters work where. This was a huge opportunity to get better for next weekend and I’m excited to continue to watch them grow together throughout the season.”

UWA (25-9, 25-8, 25-9) used an overwhelming attack that buzzed to the tune of a team .371 percentage. Senior middle blocker Jaime Lancellot led the attack with 10 kills while newcomers Jessica Akiona and Madison Cooler each had six kills. Returning GSC Freshman of the Year Kassie Till turned in 21 assists to keep the offense moving.

Lancellot and Cooler formed a formidable front line as they finished with six and five blocks respectively. Akiona led in digs with 12 while Till finished just outside of double digits with nine digs.

During the day, UWA hosted Mississippi University for Women and Birmingham Southern University as part of a day long round-robin exhibition.

West Alabama returns to action Aug. 31 at 10:30 a.m. locally over in Louisville, Kentucky in the Bellarmine Kickoff Classic against Davenport University. In that same tournament, UWA will face Bellarmine Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.; California University of Pennsylvania Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m. and West Virginia Wesleyan Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m.