The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Holds First Scrimmage, Prepares For Season Opener
8/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 21, 2001
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB volleyball team held its first official scrimmage last night at Bartow Arena in preparation for the upcoming season. The scrimmage, which was open to the public, was deemed a success by Head Coach Melinda Claiborne.
"I was pleased with the overall performance, considering we are not at full strength right now," said Coach Claiborne. "Martina Shields (sophomore/outside hitter) and Lindsay Joyce (sophomore/right side hitter) are both limited physically due to injuries. However, I thought the intensity level and overall competitiveness were very good."
The team and coaching staff have carried an "under construction" theme throughout the preseason and are attempting to build a foundation for the future of the program.
"When the team first came in for the start of fall practice we focused on technique and ball control. Now that we are near the start of the season, we are moving toward a team concept and a team focus in practice. A lot of individual work was done with each player in the beginning, but now we are on a mission to perform as a team. We started with 12 individuals, five of which were new to the program. It has been a process and it will continue to be a process to get everyone on the same page, but from day one we have been a better team.
Coach Claiborne said that a starting lineup would be named at Saturday's Green and Gold Scrimmage. The scrimmage will be held from noon-3 p.m. in Bartow Arena and is open to the public.
The Blazers begin the season Aug. 31 at the Georgia Invitational in Athens, Ga. The trip will be a homecoming of sorts for Coach Claiborne, who served as assistant volleyball coach for the Bulldogs from 1997-99. The Blazers will face Jacksonville, Georgia and Eastern Kentucky at the tournament.
UAB's home opener features a matchup with Middle Tennessee Sept. 4 in Bartow Arena at 7 p.m.
