BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The ULM sand volleyball team fell 3-2 to UAB Friday afternoon and fell to 4-4 on the year. Four of the five sets went to a third set to decide the point.
Marcela Araya and Maria Garcia got ULM on the board with a 2-1 match win at the third flight. The Warhawk tandem took the first set 23-21 but fell 21-9 in the second set. They rallied to take the deciding set, 16-14, from the Blazer pair of Alison Woods and Sam Serley.
Tetiana Sukach and Zuzana Markova improved to 8-0 on the season with a 2-1 victory at the top flight over UAB's Bethanie Thomas and Kiriana Hirini. Sukach and Markova fell 16-21 in the opener but dominated the second set, 21-12. The duo sealed the point with a 19-17 win in the third set.
The Warhawks fought valiantly in the fourth and fifth flights with both matches going to a third set. In the four spot, Kylie Parks and Blanca Ocana fell short 16-14. Iren Marinova and Alannah Cullum fell 15-13 in their final set at the fifth position.
ULM returns to action Saturday at 10:30 a.m. against Georgia State to begin action in the Georgia State Sand Invitational.
UAB 3, ULM 2
1. Tetiana Sukach/Zuzana Markova (ULM) d. Bethanie Thomas/Kiriana Hirini (UAB), 16-21, 21-12, 19-17
2. Ally Slaughter/Kirsten Gallagher (UAB) d. Amy Grabiec/Michelle McNamee (ULM), 21-18, 21-19
3. Marcela Araya/Maria Garcia (ULM) d. Alison Woods/Sam Serly (UAB), 23-21, 9-21, 16-14
4. Rachel Fairbanks/Sara Rishell (UAB) d. Kylie Parks/Blanca Ocana (ULM), 21-8, 8-21, 16-14
5. Becca Howard/Kate Morrell (UAB) d. Iren Marinova/Alannah Cullum (ULM) 21-8, 19-21, 15-13
