TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama volleyball started its 2023 season with a pair of sweeps Friday at the Crimson Tide Invitational, defeating Mississippi Valley State in straight sets in the afternoon before dispatching Saint Louis in three frames in the final match of the night.
Alabama (2-0) defeated Mississippi Valley State (0-2) in straight sets in the season opener, hitting .525 as a team led by eight kills from Micah Gryniewicz who was one of three players above .600 for the Crimson Tide. Vic Schmer scored a career-best six of the team’s 11 service aces while Callie Kieffer and Gabbi LeBlanc combined for 31 assists as they made their Alabama debuts. All 16 players on the Tide roster saw game action against the Devilettes.
In the nightcap against Saint Louis (1-1), the Tide applied even more pressure from the service line with 14 aces, led by six again from Schmer. Alyiah Wells hit .583 with a team-leading eight kills with Kieffer two digs shy of a double-double with 26 assists and eight digs.
“I’m really proud of our ladies right now. There’s a lot of things we were doing in practice that they implemented in the matches and that’s all that you can ask for. They stayed composed and respected the opponent and played at a high level. I would love for them to keep that same mentality for tomorrow.”
Notes
- This is the third straight season Alabama has won its first two matches to start the year
- The last time the Tide swept its first two opponents was 2019
- All seven of Alabama’s newcomers saw time in at least one of Friday’s matches, including starts from Callie Kieffer and Kyla Dunaway
- Victoria Schmer finished with a career-best six aces against both MVSU and Saint Louis
- Kendyl Reaugh’s four aces vs. Saint Louis ties her career best, last doing so against Tennessee on March 20, 2021
Stat Leaders vs. MVSU
Set-by-Set vs. MVSU
- Set 1: Alabama 25, MVSU 8
- Set 2: Alabama 25, MVSU 10
- Set 3: Alabama 25, MVSU 14
Stat Leaders vs. Saint Louis
Set-by-Set vs. Saint Louis
- Set 1: Alabama 25, Saint Louis 9
- Set 2: Alabama 25, Saint Louis 17
- Set 3: Alabama 25, Saint Louis 20
Up Next: vs. Mercer (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- Saturday, Aug. 26 – 2 p.m….
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