The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Host Pair Of C-USA Matches This Weekend
10/2/2008 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Bartow Arena will be the site of two Conference USA volleyball showdowns this weekend as UAB plays host to both UTEP and Tulane.
The UTEP match is set for a 7 p.m. CT first serve Friday. The Tulane match, which will be televised live on CBS College Sports, is slated for a 2 p.m. CT start Sunday.
Led by reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week Casey Dent, the Blazers carry a six-match winning streak into the weekend. Since dropping their first two matches to open the season, UAB has won 12 of its past 13 contests.
The Blazers are coming off a pair of five-set wins last weekend at East Carolina and Marshall, followed by a non-conference victory Tuesday at Tennessee State. UAB enters Friday's match against UTEP at 12-3 overall (2-1 C-USA).
UTEP enters Friday's contest at 5-10 overall (1-1 C-USA). After starting the season 2-8, the Miners have won three of their past five matches. UTEP split a pair of conference contests last weekend, losing to Rice, 3-1, and earning a 3-0 victory over Houston.
The Blazers won the only meeting between the teams in 2007 with a 3-1 victory in Birmingham.
Tulane opens its weekend Friday with a match at Memphis before its Sunday contest at UAB. The Green Wave, which enters the weekend receiving votes in the CBS College Sports/AVCA Coaches Poll, was picked by the Conference USA coaches as the preseason favorite to win the league. The coaches picked UAB second in the preseason poll.
Tulane is currently 10-4 overall (2-0 C-USA) after a pair of league wins last weekend over Houston and Rice. The Blazers and Green Wave split two meetings in 2007. Tulane managed a 3-0 home court win in New Orleans, and UAB earned revenge with a 3-1 victory in the Conference USA Tournament.
The Tulane match will feature several promotions, including the opportunity to purchase a Family Fun 4 Pack of tickets for $10. Prior to the match, the Gang Green Tailgate lot will be open for UAB students with a valid ID. Face painters and balloon artists will be on hand, and, following the game, the Blazers will hold an autograph session and clinic.
