The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Beach Volleyball Travels to South Carolina for Gamecock Challenge
3/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Coming off a 4-1 record at the Blazer Beach Duals to open the season, the UAB beach volleyball team travels to Columbia, S.C. this weekend for the Gamecock Challenge hosted by the University of South Carolina.
The Blazers are set to face two nationally-ranked opponents in No. 11 Grand Canyon and No. 15 South Carolina. The matchup with the Gamecocks will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus and can also be seen on WatchESPN.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (EST):
Saturday, March 11
UAB vs. Mercer - 9 a.m.
UAB vs. Jacksonville - 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 12
UAB vs. No. 11 Grand Canyon - 9 a.m.
UAB vs. No. 15 South Carolina - 1 p.m. (SECN+/WatchESPN)
MORENO/EVANS SOLID ON COURT 4:
The tandem of Gabbi Moreno and Rachel Evans had a strong weekend at the Blazer Beach Duals, going 4-1 overall. The duo played all of their matches on court four and won nine of their 12 total sets. Their only setback was a three-set thriller to Tulane where they fell short in the final set 19-17. With her four wins, Moreno moved into seventh on UAB’s all-time wins list.
Moreno and Evans were one of two UAB pairs to play every match together last weekend, along with Avei Logoleo and Erika Zembyla on court one. Avery Hoven played every match on court two with two different partners, as did Katarina Jovicic on court three, and both posted a 4-1 record.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:
UAB plays its second CCSA match of the season when it takes on South Carolina. The Blazers have never beaten the Gamecocks, and if they are victorious this weekend it would also mark their first ever conference win dating back to last season when the league was inaugurated.
The Blazers and Mercer meet for the 15th time in program history, making the Bears UAB’s most common opponent in program history. UAB holds an 8-6 advantage in the series.
This will be the first ever meeting between UAB and Grand Canyon, while the Blazers hold a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series with Jacksonville.
COVERAGE:
Fans can watch the UAB vs. South Carolina game on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST/12 p.m. CST on the SEC Network Plus or WatchESPN on mobile devices. Also be sure to follow @UAB_BVB on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
