JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State University Volleyball team defeated the UAB Blazers 4-1 in a preseason exhibition match on Saturday in Pete Mathews Coliseum. 
 
The contest was the lone exhibition match for JSU before beginning the regular season next weekend.
 
"Overall since we have only been practicing for two weeks I think it went well," said Head Coach Todd Garvey. "I think there are a lot of things we can work on. Last year we had four months to get ready so it felt like we were more prepared than we are now. I think everyone in the country is dealing with that this year. So, for us only practicing for two weeks I thought we did a lot of things really well, but there is still a lot we can get better at. Which is a good thing, because we aren't trying to peak, hopefully, until the end of the season."
 
 
Jax State came out hot to begin the first set, building a lead over the Blazers. UAB fought back down the stretch but was unsuccessful as the Gamecocks won 25-21, taking a 1-0 lead in the match. 
 
UAB controlled the second set, tying the match up 1-1 with a 25-22 win. 
 
After building a 10-6 lead in the third set, the Gamecocks held UAB to just eight points the rest of the way in a 25-14 win. 
 
JSU picked up where they left off in set four controlling the pace early. Several late kills from Katie Montgomery helped the Gamecocks to a 25-17 win, locking up a 3-1 match victory.
 
Jax State and UAB played a fifth set with the Gamecocks winning 15-9. 
 
Lena Kindermann and Montgomery each totaled 11 kills in the first four sets, to lead the Gamecocks. There were no stats for the fifth set. 
 
"I think they learned how good we can be [today]," added Garvey. "Also, I think they are hungry to get better. There are still some little things that we can fix and will just make us a lot better. What I love to see is the energy on and off the court. I feel like we were really scrapping and playing hard, controlling the things that we can control. I thought they did a great job of that."
 
The Gamecocks will be back in the PETE next weekend, hosting the Gamecock Classic. JSU will face Gardner-Webb at 11 a.m. on August 27, Alabama State at 7 p.m. on August 27, and Middle Tennessee at 6 p.m. on August 28. 
 
Admission to all Gamecock Volleyball games in free.