The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Team Goes Undefeated In Spring Play
4/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
April 11, 2003
The UAB volleyball team capped off its six-week spring training period in March after going undefeated in three play dates. The emphasis this spring was on training a new defensive system that expanded the individual player's responsibilities, while giving them more freedom to utilize their quickness, pursuit and reading ability.
The team began the six weeks of training in mid-February after a four-week stint of individual workouts. The first three weeks consisted of daily training, with weekends off. The last three weeks added three weekend play dates, which concluded during the first weekend of spring break.
Head coach Melinda Claiborne commented on the program's progress, "I am pleased with our team's ongoing improvement. Our training focus was on the individual's development in a number of technical areas, while implementing and testing a new team defensive system. We continue to develop in all aspects of our program and I am very proud of our players. They display exceptional work ethic and have really stepped up to show great maturity as a team and individually. It is never easy to turn a program around, but with the continued commitment and dedication that I get from these fine young women I have no hesitations about our continued ascent to the top."
During the three weeks of competition, the team defeated Georgia State in two matches (3-0, 3-1) at home March 15. UAB then traveled to Emory University in Atlanta March 22 and defeated Middle Tennessee State 3-0, Trevecca Nazarene 3-0, Emory 3-0 and Florida Community College 2-1 to win the tournament. The final date was played in a pool play tournament at Alabama March 29. The Blazers continued their dominance, defeating Mississippi State 2-1, Southern Miss 3-0 and Ole Miss 3-0.
"We overcame some adversity this spring and really bonded," said Claiborne. "We only had seven players this spring and the core four, Karen Boyd, Martina Shields, Breanne Swenson and Meredith Walker, really hung in tough. There were many days where we only trained with four or five players in the gym. The team really demonstrated the 'never say die' attitude. I could not have been more pleased. I really appreciate our seniors, Dina Katsoulis, Ali Magner and Samanta Tucillo, for their continued commitment in coming out to train and compete with us this spring. Without them, we could not have made the progress that we did."
