TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It was a tough start to the Ball State Tournament as the Tide lost in 4 sets to the Green Bay Pheonix (25-21, 15-25, 23-23, 20-25).
Alabama jumped out to a 5-3 lead off a kill by sophomore OH Sami Jacobs. Green Bay would go on a run to tie it up at 13. It would remain neck-in-neck until the Tide was able pull away at the 20-point mark, taking set 1 25-21. The win was largely due to excellent passing and defense, setting up more offensive production than Green Bay.
A pair of kills by sophomore MH Laila Smith and a couple aces by sophomore S Brooke Slusser allowed the Tide to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead. It would not last, however, as Green Bay would roar back to a 20-11 lead. Tide attacking errors started to become more prevalent as they dropped set 2 15-25.
A second 4-0 start was better taken advantage of, as a kill by senior MH Alyiah Wells put the Tide ahead 14-10. The set would eventually become tied at 21 before the Tide was edged out by Green Bay, losing set 3 23-25.
Green Bay continued to capitalize on their efficient attacking as they took an early 10-5 lead. Alabama kept fighting, however, as a double block by Slusser and Smith got the Tide within 3, down 14-17. That said, it just wasn’t enough to beat Green Bay’s high-flying offense, as the Tide dropped set 4 20-25.
The Tide fell to 4-3 on the season, and will play host team Ball State tonight, looking to redeem themselves after an unfortunate loss.
