The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Add Two Signees
5/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
May 21, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, AL.- UAB head volleyball coach Melinda Claiborne announced the commitment of two additional 2003 prospects Wednesday.
Brianna Galvin becomes the sixth Blazer this year to sign on for the upcoming volleyball campaign. Galvin is a 5'5 libero from San Carlos, Calif. She will graduate this week from Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif. where she helped her team win the California State Championship this year. The team also won the State Championship in 2000 and 2001 and is coached by former U.S. Olympian and Stanford University All-American, Kim Oden.
Galvin will travel to the south to compete at the U.S. Junior Olympic Championships in Atlanta in June. She plays club volleyball for City Beach Volleyball Club where she is coached by former Long Beach standout, Lena Quilantang.
Galvin's sister, Christy, starred on the volleyball team for Charlotte as an outside hitter from 1997-2000. Galvin's parents are Michael and Ernestine and she has an older brother, Brendon. Galvin plans to major in biology and pursue graduate studies in Forensic Science.
"Brianna is a player with exceptional ball control skills and quickness," said Claiborne. "She will make an immediate impact on the court with her defensive intensity."
The Blazers also received a commitment from Joanna Szeszycki (pronounced "Sue-Zec-Key"), a 5'11 outside hitter from West Chicago, Ill. Prior to picking volleyball as her main sport, she was a competitive gymnast and also ran track. She now competes for Chicago's Finest Volleyball Club and has helped the team to a bid to compete at the Junior Olympic Championships in Atlanta in June.
Szeszycki is a well-rounded athlete, who also excels in the classroom. As a three-year starter and letterwinner on the varsity team at West Chicago Community High School, she received high honors and academic all-conference honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002. She plans on majoring in communications and is looking forward to a career in broadcasting.
"Joanna helps to secure our outside position," Claiborne said. "She is a gifted athlete with a tremendous work ethic. I am looking forward to getting her in the gym."
The Blazers open the season Aug. 29 against Virginia at 10 a.m. at the LSU Tournament in Baton Rouge, La. UAB's home opener is scheduled for Sept. 16 against Mississippi State at Bartow Arena at 7 p.m.
