The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Devon May Returns to Blazer Beach as Assistant Coach
9/4/2019 8:49:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM - Head Coach Kyra Iannone has announced the hiring of former Blazer standout Devon May as the new assistant coach for the UAB beach volleyball program.
May first joined the Blazers in the spring of 2018 as a graduate transfer from Simon Fraser University in Canada and quickly made her mark on Court 1 for the Blazers. In her lone season in the Green and Gold, May picked up 12 wins as she and teammate Kenley Adams finished as the 28th ranked duo in the nation.
"Devon was an inspiration when she played for us on Court 1 and I couldn't think of a better fit for this staff or team," Iannone said. "She went on to play on the professional beach circuit, and now she's back to coach along with pursuing her professional beach career.
"I want our players at UAB to continue on and pursue the sport internationally so to have a role model on staff who knows exactly what it takes for young women on tour, and in the NCAA, is exactly what these athletes need. It's another step to defining our culture and style of play in the NCAA and I'm confident Devon will make an immediate impact."
Following her one year as a player for UAB, May joined the international ranks playing on FIVB International World Tour, as well as the NORCECA Tour for North and Central America.
Representing Team Canada, May traveled around Europe and Asia on the FIVB Tour and made the main draw in all of her tournaments. On the NORECEA Circuit, May won her tournament in Mexico and was top five in all of the other tournaments which included playing in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, amongst others.
"I'm so happy to be back in Birmingham and to be a part of this coaching staff," May said. "I had such an amazing experience here as a player and I'm more than ready to help Kyra and Avei with anything I can moving towards our goals for next season. I feel like I have learned so much through my college athletic experience along with competing and traveling internationally, and I'm so passionate about sharing this knowledge with the girls."
The Blazers are coming off a program best 14 wins in 2019. UAB returns eight players from last year's team and have added eight new players for the 2020 season.
May first joined the Blazers in the spring of 2018 as a graduate transfer from Simon Fraser University in Canada and quickly made her mark on Court 1 for the Blazers. In her lone season in the Green and Gold, May picked up 12 wins as she and teammate Kenley Adams finished as the 28th ranked duo in the nation.
"Devon was an inspiration when she played for us on Court 1 and I couldn't think of a better fit for this staff or team," Iannone said. "She went on to play on the professional beach circuit, and now she's back to coach along with pursuing her professional beach career.
"I want our players at UAB to continue on and pursue the sport internationally so to have a role model on staff who knows exactly what it takes for young women on tour, and in the NCAA, is exactly what these athletes need. It's another step to defining our culture and style of play in the NCAA and I'm confident Devon will make an immediate impact."
Following her one year as a player for UAB, May joined the international ranks playing on FIVB International World Tour, as well as the NORCECA Tour for North and Central America.
Representing Team Canada, May traveled around Europe and Asia on the FIVB Tour and made the main draw in all of her tournaments. On the NORECEA Circuit, May won her tournament in Mexico and was top five in all of the other tournaments which included playing in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, amongst others.
"I'm so happy to be back in Birmingham and to be a part of this coaching staff," May said. "I had such an amazing experience here as a player and I'm more than ready to help Kyra and Avei with anything I can moving towards our goals for next season. I feel like I have learned so much through my college athletic experience along with competing and traveling internationally, and I'm so passionate about sharing this knowledge with the girls."
The Blazers are coming off a program best 14 wins in 2019. UAB returns eight players from last year's team and have added eight new players for the 2020 season.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
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