BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A big offensive performance from freshman Eliza Zachary was not enough as UAB edged the GSU volleyball team 3-1 Tuesday night.

With the loss, GSU fell to 1-6 on the season while UAB improved to 4-5.

Zachary earned 11 kills, four block assists and one solo block to lead GSU. Freshman Sydney Hunsley was second in scoring with nine kills, while senior Jamiee Freeman was third in scoring with seven kills on the night.

The freshman tandem of Natalia Nieto and Andrea' DeLeon each continued to post big numbers with Nieto earning 20 assists and DeLeon adding 18. Junior Emily Averbeck led the team with 21 digs, while Freeman added 12.

The Blazers took the first set 25-14 but GSU bounced back in the second set and even the sets at 1-1. Led by Hunsley's five second-set kills and Zachary's three kills and one service ace, GSU took the second set 25-22.

However, the Blazers turned up the offensive pressure to hold off GSU 25-13 and 25-17 to win the final two sets.

The Panthers open the home portion of the 2012 schedule Friday as they host Samford at 7 p.m. in the second game of the day of the GSU Invitational. GSU hosts Mercer and South Alabama on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.