The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sand Volleyball Pair Selected For AVCA Nationals
4/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
April 23, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- UAB sand volleyball players Bethanie Thomas and Kiriana Hirini have been selected to play in the 2013 AVCA Nationals Pairs Championship, marking the second consecutive year the Blazers have sent a pair to Gulf Shores, Ala.
UAB's duo, which will begin play on Friday, is one of 10 pairs across the country to reach the Pairs Championships. The action begins on May 3 and will run through May 5.
“I am extremely excited to have Bethanie and Kiriana in the Championships,” head coach Hal Messersmith said. “Both are sophomores, so it is a great accomplishment for them and our program as we look to the future.”
Thomas and Hirini, who picked up nine wins in 2013, are in a pool with Lane Carico and Katie Madewell (Georgia State), Kelly Reeves and Meg Norton (UCLA), Jessica Mendoza and Maryna Samoday (Florida International) and Hannah Clancy and Katarina Schilz (Pacific).
“Our bracket is extremely tough,” Messersmith added. “Even though it will be a tough schedule, our goal is to make it to Sunday and play for a championship.”
If the Blazers pick up wins on Friday and Saturday, they will play in Sunday’s championship match. Last season, UAB had Heather Thomas and Kirsten Gallagher in the Pairs Championships.
