The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Beach Volleyball Begins 2016 Season Saturday
3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB beach volleyball team begins its 2016 season on the road as the Blazers travel to Mercer on Saturday for back-to-back matches, beginning at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. CT, respectively.
In its fifth season as a beach volleyball program, UAB competes as one of the founding members of the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association's beach volleyball conference. The 2016 season also marks the first season of beach volleyball competition as an NCAA-sanctioned sport.
The Blazers compete in five home matches this season as part of the Blazer Beach Duals. Scheduled for Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 3, UAB hosts New Orleans, Lincoln Memorial, Louisiana Monroe, Spring Hill and Jacksonville State at the UAB Beach Courts.
Entering the season, several newcomers make their debuts in the Green and Gold, joining four veterans of the Blazer lineup. Graduate student Sara Rishell leads the Blazers' veteran core after recording a 14-12 individual record last season, the second-most individual wins on the team.
Also returning are Avei Logoleo, Gabbi Moreno and junior Amber Treace. Logoleo and Moreno return for their second season of competition with the Blazers, while Treace is competing in her third season with the beach program.
Newcomers include Tressa Buckland, Rachel Evans, Emily Martinez, Zahria Richard, Victoria Young, Avery Hoven, Chelsi Carter and Michaela Ressor. Martinez, Richard and Young competed with the indoor team in the fall. Buckland and Evans join the Blazers as sand-only recruits.
Hoven, Carter and Ressor transferred to UAB after successful indoor volleyball careers at their respective schools. Hoven previously competed at Mercer, while Ressor and Carter transferred to UAB from neighboring Samford.
For more on all Blazer sports teams, follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) and on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
