The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Host Fight Like Hal Beach Volleyball Tournament
4/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB beach volleyball team hosts the Fight Like Hal Tournament this Friday and Saturday, April 14-15, at Blazer Beach for its final regular season matches of the 2017 season.
UAB welcomes New Mexico, UT Martin and Lincoln Memorial to Birmingham and will honor the late Hal Messersmith who was the Blazers’ first beach volleyball coach and lost his battle with cancer in 2013.
Fans are encouraged to wear lavender this weekend to support the fight against cancer and to pick up a memorial card when they arrive at Blazer Beach and attach it to the fence to share you who fight for.
Donations to cancer research can be made by clicking here.
The tournament schedule is as follows (All times are CST).
Friday, April 14:
UAB vs. UT Martin – 12 p.m.
New Mexico vs. Lincoln Memorial – 2 p.m.
UT Martin vs. Lincoln Memorial – 5 p.m.
UAB vs. New Mexico – 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 15:
UT Martin vs. New Mexico – 10 a.m.
UAB vs. New Mexico – 12 p.m.
UT Martin vs. Lincoln Memorial – 2 p.m.
UAB vs. Lincoln Memorial – 4 p.m.
SENIOR DAY:
The Blazers will honor their two seniors, Katarina Jovicic and Kalah Jones, who are both first year graduate transfers. Jovicic has 10 wins this season and has played most of her matches on the top two courts. Jones has four wins this season, including three in a row dating back to the last two weeks. The two will be honored prior to Saturday’s match against Lincoln Memorial at 4 p.m.
FINISHING STRONG:
The Blazers went 3-1 last weekend to improve their record to 9-14 overall. Emily Martinez and Kenley Adams have led the charge as the duo has won eight of their nine last matches together. Martinez owns a team-best 13 wins this season, while Adams is one behind at 12.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:
New Mexico enters the weekend receiving votes in the latest AVCA national rankings. The Lobos are 10-9 overall and have won their last three matches. Lincoln Memorial is also on a three match winning streak and is 5-9 overall. UT Martin is 0-7 this season.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Blazers head to the CCSA Conference Tournament next weekend in Emerson, Ga., to compete for an NCAA bid. The CCSA currently has five teams ranked in the AVCA top 15.
