The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Team Home For Four Matches In Three Days
9/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2008
UAB/Samford Invitational Tournament Central
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- After opening the season with eight consecutive matches away from home, the UAB volleyball team finally returns to Bartow Arena.
The Blazers kick off the home portion of their schedule Thursday at 7 p.m. with their Conference USA opener against Memphis. UAB will then be back in action Friday and Saturday as co-host of the UAB/Samford Invitational.
"The girls are excited to be home for the first time," UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "We're glad to be playing in front of friends and family on our home court."
In total, the Blazers will play four matches in three days. Live stats and All Access streaming video will be available for the contest against Memphis at www.uabsports.com. UAB's Friday matches will also be streamed online, while live stats for all UAB/Samford Invitational matches at the Bartow Arena site will be available through the tournament page.
Entering Thursday's contest with Memphis, UAB (6-2) has won six consecutive matches. Led by Conference USA Setter of the Week Nevena Stefanov, the Blazers posted a perfect 3-0 record last weekend at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic.
UAB will look to carry that momentum into Thursday's conference opener against a Memphis team that enters the matchup at 7-3. The Tigers -- under first-year head coach April Jauregui -- own a three-match winning streak of their own after victories last weekend over Central Arkansas, Centenary and Mississippi State.
UAB and Memphis split a pair of meetings in 2007 with both teams earning a win on their home floor.
"There is a rivalry between UAB and Memphis, and we typically play close matches," Messersmith said. "This match is also important because it is the first match of what will be a very challenging Conference USA schedule."
Following Thursday's match, Bartow Arena will feature eight matches over two days on Friday and Saturday as the Blazers co-host the UAB/Samford Invitational. UAB is involved in three of those matches. The Blazers play twice Friday, taking on Alabama A&M at Noon and Florida International at 7 p.m., and wrap up play Saturday at 2 p.m. versus Troy.
The Blazers are most familiar with Troy, having posted a 19-5 all-time record against the Trojans. UAB is 4-1 in five meetings with Alabama A&M and 0-2 all-time against Florida International.
"It should be a good tournament," Messersmith said. "Florida International is a very strong team all the way around, and Troy is a team that is always ready to play."
Chattanooga, Memphis and tournament co-host Samford are also taking part in the event but will not play against UAB. Samford is hosting three matches (two Friday and one Saturday) at the Pete Hanna Center.
