BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Wichita State out-hit UAB .333-.185 to earn their first sweep of the season, a 25-15, 25-22, 25-22 decision on Friday night at Bartow Arena.

The Shockers (8-7, 3-0) have won five of their last six matches and are one of four remaining unbeaten teams in American Athletic Conference play.

Setter Izzi Strand reached 3,000 career assists on the evening, handing out 26 helpers to go along with four kills, five block assists and six digs.

Wichita State separated themselves after a tightly contested opening to the first set. With the score tied 14-14, the Shockers fired off eight straight points to seize a commanding 22-14 advantage, getting three kills from Alyssa Gonzales during the burst. A Jorda Crook kill finally stopped the bleeding for UAB (5-10, 0-4) but the Shockers scored the next three points to cap off an 11-1 run that clinched the set. WSU hit .520 in the frame with just one attack error, while UAB misfired seven times.

UAB led in set two 17-16, but again the Shockers delivered a defining run that flipped the scoreline. Three more Gonzales terminations sparked a 6-3 spell that gave the Shockers a 22-20 lead they did not surrender. A Brooklyn Leggett kill and block from Emerson Wilford and Morgan Stout reached set point, then the Shockers got a touch of good fortune. Leading 24-22, a mistimed set from Strand was just grazed by a leaping Stout, deflecting the ball over the net and down on the UAB side for an unorthodox set-clinching kill.

The Shockers again trailed in the middle stages of set three, facing a 14-12 deficit following a service error. But the Blazers imploded at the service line themselves to aid a Wichita State comeback, committing seven service errors to get the Shockers to match point at 24-20. UAB scored two straight to stay alive, but Leggett stymied the rally with a blistering kill that secured the sweep for Wichita State.

Gonzales was the only Shocker to reach double-digit kills with 10 on just 21 swings, hitting .476. Maddie Wilson and Leggett recorded seven apiece and Stout had five, while Crook led all scorers for UAB with 17 kills. The Shockers notched five aces, including three from Stout, while Annalie Heliste had a team-high eight digs.

Wichita State is back in action on Sunday afternoon against preseason conference favorites Rice. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 pm.