The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Set To Take Part In Shamrock Invitational
8/30/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2012
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The UAB volleyball team will compete in its second road tournament in as many weeks, this time traveling to South Bend, Ind., to take part in the Shamrock Invitational. The Blazers will compete against tournament-host Notre Dame on Friday, with matches vs. Eastern Kentucky and Buffalo to round out the weekend at the Purcell Pavilion.
The Blazers posted a 1-3 record last weekend at the Blue Raider Bash hosted by Middle Tennessee. UAB’s lone victory came in a 3-1 decision vs. UC Davis. The Blazers lost a pair of five-set contests to both UTSA and Furman, to go along with a three-game sweep to MTSU.
On the attacking end, UAB struggled to find consistency, hitting .142 as a club. Despite the troubles on offense, the Blazers’ defense proved to pick up where they left off from 2011. UAB ranks second in blocks per set (2.29) and fourth in opponent’s attacking percentage (.192) amongst Conference USA schools.
Shamrock Invitational Field
UAB: 1-3
Notre Dame: 1-2
EKU: 2-1
Buffalo: 2-1
UAB Tournament Schedule
Fri., Aug. 31 – at Notre Dame (6 p.m. CT)
Sat., Sept. 1 – vs. EKU (3:30 p.m. CT)
Sun., Sept. 2 – vs. Buffalo (10:30 a.m. CT)
SERLEY EARNS ALL-TOURNAMENT ACCOLADES
Senior Sam Serley was a force in the front row for the Blazers in Murfreesboro, Tenn., en route to earning Blue Raider Bash All-Tournament team honors. Serley finished the four-match tournament with 41 kills (2.41 kps) off a .304 attacking percentage. She also totaled 23 blocks, including an impressive eight solo swats for a 1.35 per set average.
FAIRBANKS FUELS BACK ROW
In her first action as the starting libero, junior Rachel Fairbanks answered the challenge of taking over a new position. The Katy, Texas, native recorded 90 digs over the course of the Blue Raider Bash for a per set average of 5.29. Fairbanks produced two 30 or more dig outings, marking the first time a Blazer has completed that task in a single season dating back to 2001. She corralled 30 digs in the season-opener vs. UTSA and 31 vs. Furman. She led the Blazers in digs in three of the four matches last weekend.
SCOUTING NOTRE DAME
To open up the 2012 season, Notre Dame went 1-2 playing in Lincoln, Neb. The Fighting Irish defeated Saint Louis, sandwiched around top 25 losses to then No. 1 UCLA and host Nebraska, ranked fourth in the nation.
Like the Blazers, the Irish utilize a 6-2 formation with Sammie Brown and Maggie Brindock sharing setter duties. On the attacking end, Jeni Houser (3.70 kps) and Toni Alugbue (3.50 kps) lead the offense, while libero Taylor Morey has corralled 50 digs this season.
As a team, Notre Dame is hitting .188 as a squad and average 15.40 digs and 1.60 blocks per set.
SCOUTING EKU
The Colonels sport a 2-1 record after the Spartan Showcase, beating Youngstown State and McNeese State, along with falling to tournament-host Michigan State.
EKU showed balance on offense in its first action of the season, sporting four players with 24 or more kills. Leading the hitters is Ashley Edmond who sports a 3.27 kills per set average. As a team, EKU is hitting .218, while opponents are swinging at a .207 clip.
SCOUTING BUFFALO
The Bulls hosted the UB Invitational a week ago, finishing 2-1 to claim the tournament crown. UB earned a four-set win vs. Canisius, lost in four to San Jose State, before rebounding to knock off Oral Roberts in five frames.
Liz Scott was a standout in the opening weekend, not only earning all-tournament honors, but was also named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week. She totaled 55 kills in 13 sets (4.23 kps), while adding 2.08 digs and 1.00 blocks per frame. During the course of the three matches, Scott hit at an impressive .336 clip.
