The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Mercer
Sand Volleyball Takes Down Mercer, 5-0
3/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
March 9, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB sand volleyball used wins in all five matches, including three two-set triumphs, on its way to a 5-0 victory over Mercer at the UAB Sand Volleyball Courts on Saturday.
UAB will host Tulane on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. CT. The Green Wave defeated the Bears, 4-1, in the second game to pick up its first win.
With Saturday’s victory, the Blazers move to 1-0 in their second season of competition, while Mercer falls to 0-1 in its first match of the year.
“I thought we played really well today,” UAB head coach Hal Messersmith said. “We made very few errors all around and competed well throughout the match. Tomorrow, we play a very tough Tulane team and it should be a great contest.”
Leading off for the Blazers were the four, five and six pairs. UAB claimed the early momentum when junior Ally Slaughter teamed with redshirt freshman Sam Skinner to pick up a 21-18, 28-26 win over the Bears’ Zoe Becton and Codi Schepp.
Two courts over, UAB’s fifth pair gave UAB a commanding lead as Kate Morrell and Becca Howard teamed up for a thrilling 21-17, 20-22, 15-11 victory. Up 2-0, the Blazers watched as sophomore Sara Rishell and redshirt freshman Mariah McCallum teamed up to oust their counterparts, 21-14, 21-18, in an exhibition contest.
Saturday’s dual was then left up to the top positions as the one, two and three pairs battled to end the dual.
The first three positions delivered for the Blazers as Bethanie Thomas and Kiriana Hirini ran past Madison Petsos and Jamie Duffey, 21-15, 21-13. UAB’s third tandem of Kirsten Gallagher and Rachel Fairbanks delivered a dominating 21-9, 21-16 victory, while Sam Serley and Alison Woods ended the contest with a 21-15, 24-22 win over Jan Katone and Molly Locke.
“We could not have asked for a better start to the season,” Messersmith added. “The fans showed up in full force today and created an exciting atmosphere for sand volleyball. I think if you go around the country you won't see anybody who has more support than we have here at UAB.”
Following UAB’s contest with Tulane on Sunday, the Blazers head to ULM on March 14.
Results
March 9, 2013
UAB Sand Volleyball Courts
Bethanie Thomas/Kiriana Hirini (UAB) def. Madison Petsos/Jamie Duffy (Mercer) – 21-15, 21-13
Sam Serley/Alison Woods (UAB) def. Jan Katone/Molly Locke (Mercer) – 21-15, 24-22
Kirsten Gallagher/Rachel Fairbanks (UAB) def. Charlayna Braxton/Erin Brett (Mercer) – 21-9, 21-16
Ally Slaughter/Sam Skinner (UAB) def. Zoe Becton/Codi Schepp (Mercer) – 21-18, 28-26
Katie Morrell/Becca Howard (UAB) def. Emily Rochfort/Caroline Carlton (Mercer) 21-17, 20-22, 15-11
Sara Rishell/Mariah McCallum (UAB) Lizzie Knapper/Emily Brett (Mercer) 21-14, 21-18
