BIRMINGHAM – Jacksonville State's volleyball team pulled out a tight five-set victory over UAB on Friday night in the preseason exhibition for both squads.
 
The Gamecocks are coming off a 25-7 season and ASUN Conference west division championship. Along with returning its offensive leaders and libero from a season ago, JSU brings in a mix of veteran transfers and talented freshmen who saw their first action at Bartow Arena.
 
JSU took the opening two sets, 25-23 and 25-14, to grab a commanding 2-0 advantage in the match. The Blazers responded with 25-19, 25-18 wins to even the match for a fifth and final frame, where JSU clinched the match with a 15-10 victory.
 
Graduate transfer Claire Ochs made an immediate impact as the starting setter for the Gamecocks. The 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Setter of the Year from Southeast Missouri finished with 32 assists primarily running the offense for the opening three frames. Newcomer Maddie Stayer of Mentor, Ohio, set the fourth set, while Stayer and Birmingham local-product Kathryn Smith shared the fifth set.
 
Offensively Senior Lena Kindermann led the way with 18 kills and a .536 hitting percentage, followed by Katie Montgomery with seven kills and a .313 clip. Freshman Luci Wilkinson notched a couple of aces from the service line.
 
On defense, Erin Carmichael recorded 15 digs next to Brooklyn Schiffli with 12. Zoe Gonzales had five blocks at the net, while Montgomery stopped three would-be Blazer attacks.
 
The Gamecocks officially open the season next Friday, Aug. 26 in Bloomington, Indiana, against Chicago State and Indiana State. JSU will face the tournament host Hoosiers on Saturday night.