The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Photo by: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Ingram Names Betsy Freeburg Head Coach of UAB Volleyball
7/2/2020 10:45:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Director of Athletics Mark Ingram has announced the hiring of Betsy Freeburg as head coach of the Blazers' volleyball program.
Freeburg comes to UAB after spending the last three seasons at Samford as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach earlier this year. One of the top up-and-coming coaches in the country, Freeburg was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) "Thirty Under 30" list in May and has had a tremendous impact on Samford's program over her three seasons.
"I would like to thank Mark Ingram, Katreshia Louis-Verrett and Dan Carlson for the opportunity to lead the UAB volleyball program," said Freeburg. "After spending the last three years in the area, Birmingham has become my home and it is exciting to now be a UAB Blazer. I cannot wait to start building new relationships with our team, strengthening their existing relationships and helping them become the best people and volleyball players they can be."
While at Samford, Freeburg helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back Southern Conference Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament berths in 2018 and 2019. The 2019 season was highlighted by Samford going a program best 15-1 in SoCon play and defeating No. 24 Arizona on the Wildcats' home floor.
Freeburg coached the 2019 SoCon Player of the Year and AVCA All-Region honorable mention selection Kelsi Hobbs, along with the 2018 SoCon Freshman of the Year, Lauren Deaton. In total, Freeburg coached five All-Conference players and assisted in the commitment of nine student-athletes, including the 2017 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year.
Prior to her time at Samford, Freeburg was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Georgia State for three seasons.
Freeburg began her coaching career as an assistant coach for USA Volleyball, where she served as court coach and evaluator for the USAV High Performance Program tryouts. Additionally, she worked as an apprentice coach for the 2016 Girls' Future Select National Training Program and was an Assistant Coach for the 2016 Girls' Youth National Team Prospect Training Block. She also served as an assistant coach with the Orlando Volleyball Academy.
"Betsy is a proven winner both as a player and a coach," Ingram said. "Her championship mentality, coupled with her familiarity with Birmingham, will allow Betsy to hit the ground running. We are excited about the future of UAB volleyball and envision winning championships with Betsy leading our program."
As a player at the University of Florida from 2009-12, Freeburg made four NCAA Championship appearances, including three Sweet Sixteen berths and an Elite Eight appearance in 2011. The Gators were crowned SEC champions in 2010 and 2012. As a senior, Freeburg served as team captain and was a Second Team All-SEC middle blocker.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB volleyball, men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or click here for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
Freeburg comes to UAB after spending the last three seasons at Samford as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach earlier this year. One of the top up-and-coming coaches in the country, Freeburg was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) "Thirty Under 30" list in May and has had a tremendous impact on Samford's program over her three seasons.
"I would like to thank Mark Ingram, Katreshia Louis-Verrett and Dan Carlson for the opportunity to lead the UAB volleyball program," said Freeburg. "After spending the last three years in the area, Birmingham has become my home and it is exciting to now be a UAB Blazer. I cannot wait to start building new relationships with our team, strengthening their existing relationships and helping them become the best people and volleyball players they can be."
While at Samford, Freeburg helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back Southern Conference Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament berths in 2018 and 2019. The 2019 season was highlighted by Samford going a program best 15-1 in SoCon play and defeating No. 24 Arizona on the Wildcats' home floor.
Freeburg coached the 2019 SoCon Player of the Year and AVCA All-Region honorable mention selection Kelsi Hobbs, along with the 2018 SoCon Freshman of the Year, Lauren Deaton. In total, Freeburg coached five All-Conference players and assisted in the commitment of nine student-athletes, including the 2017 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year.
Prior to her time at Samford, Freeburg was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Georgia State for three seasons.
Freeburg began her coaching career as an assistant coach for USA Volleyball, where she served as court coach and evaluator for the USAV High Performance Program tryouts. Additionally, she worked as an apprentice coach for the 2016 Girls' Future Select National Training Program and was an Assistant Coach for the 2016 Girls' Youth National Team Prospect Training Block. She also served as an assistant coach with the Orlando Volleyball Academy.
"Betsy is a proven winner both as a player and a coach," Ingram said. "Her championship mentality, coupled with her familiarity with Birmingham, will allow Betsy to hit the ground running. We are excited about the future of UAB volleyball and envision winning championships with Betsy leading our program."
As a player at the University of Florida from 2009-12, Freeburg made four NCAA Championship appearances, including three Sweet Sixteen berths and an Elite Eight appearance in 2011. The Gators were crowned SEC champions in 2010 and 2012. As a senior, Freeburg served as team captain and was a Second Team All-SEC middle blocker.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB volleyball, men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 or click here for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
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