LIVINGSTON, Ala.  – The University of West Alabama volleyball team opened the 2008 portion of the home schedule with a 3-0 sweep of the visiting Cotton Blossoms of the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Thursday evening at Pruitt Hall.  The UAM tilt also marked the home debut of first year head volleyball coach Nathan Baker.

The Tigers got off to a sluggish start in the first set with UAM taking a seven-point advantage in the opening set, but the Red and White fought back to even the set at 23-23 thanks to a 13-6 scoring stretch and posting the final two points to claim the first set, 25-23.  In the second set, UWA continued its momentum from the first stanza by jumping out to a 19-9 edge and closed out swiftly, 25-15.  The Tigers closed out the match with a 25-18 win, to bump their record to 3-2 on the season.  UAM came to Livingston, riding a two-match win streak.

Senior Allison Nail posted a match-high 11 kills and finished one dig shy of a double-double.  The Cullman, Ala.-native registered three of UWA’s 11 service aces.  Junior Ana Gabriela Pedrosa tallied ten kills and nine digs.  Junior Jessica Crook, who returned to the line up after suffering an injury in the Tiger’s match against Florida Tech last weekend.  The Ohatchee, Ala.-product recorded five kills.  Defensively, UWA held the Cotton Blossoms to a .046 hitting percentage.

UAM’s Taura Rush led the Cotton Blossoms with seven kills.

UWA returns to the court tomorrow afternoon, taking part in the UAH Invitational this weekend.  The Tigers will face the University of Puerto Pico Rio Piedras at 1:45 p.m. and close out the day against GSC rival Christian Brothers at 5:15 p.m.

Live stats from UAH’s Spragins Hall will be available http://www.uahchargers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=641&Itemid=163

Following this weekend in Huntsville, the Red and White return home on Tuesday, Sept. 9 against in-state foe Spring Hill College.