The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Volleyball Welcomes Four to 2021 Signing Class
3/16/2021 5:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM — UAB volleyball head coach Betsy Freeburg has announced four additions to the 2021 signing class on Tuesday.
"We are excited to finally announce this 2021 class," Freeburg said. "It has been great getting to know them all virtually over the last year, and we cannot wait to have them on campus soon. Each of them will bring their unique skills to the team, and we are looking forward to seeing how their gifts add to our growing culture."
AVERY LONG | LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | WAXAHACHIE, TEXAS
Long comes to Birmingham from Waxahachie, Texas where she played at Waxahachie High School. During her junior year, Long was named to District 7-6A Honorable Mention and Academic All-District Team. This past year the Waxahachie, Texas native was named the District 11-6A District Player of the Year and Academic All-State Team.
In addition to her volleyball accomplishments, Long is a member of National Honor Society and ranked Top-5% of her class. Long plans on becoming a cardiac ICU nurse after college.
"Avery comes to Birmingham with a love for both UAB and volleyball," Freeburg said. "Her love of the game is something that stood out throughout her recruiting process, and she lets that joy shine through when she plays. We're looking forward to her bringing great energy to the DS position for us and cannot wait to see her in a Blazer uniform."
MARY MORGAN FORMBY | SETTER | TUSCALOOSA, ALA.
Formby is a Spring 2021 enrollee at UAB and will be eligible for competition in Fall 2021. The Tuscaloosa, Ala. native was a two-time area tournament MVP, two-time player of the week and volleyball player of the year. Formby has over 1,000 kills in her career at Northridge High School. In addition to volleyball, she has played basketball, softball, soccer, track and field and swimming.
"Mary Morgan Formby has actually been in our gym since January as a midyear enrollee, and it has been a great head start for her to get used to training in a college environment," Freeburg said. "She is learning our systems from both a setting and attacking perspective, which is going to help her tremendously when she becomes eligible next fall. We're looking forward to seeing her compete in August."
KAYLA HARDY | LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | GALION, OHIO
The future Blazers makes her way to Birmingham from Galion, Ohio where she played at Galion High School for head coach Kristi Hardy.
The libero/defensive specialist has been named to the First-Team Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference all four years. She was also named to the All-Ohio Second Team twice. Hardy holds the Galion High School assist record and is sixth in Ohio high school history.
In addition to her volleyball accomplishments, Hardy is a member of the National Honor Society where she is the treasurer. She will also graduate high school with her associates degree from North Central State College.
"Kayla comes to us with a lot of high-level volleyball experience, and actually set her entire high school career," Freeburg said. "We anticipate Kayla bringing a high level of volleyball IQ into the defensive specialist position from her time as a six-rotation player and look forward to her being in Birmingham."
KENNEDY HAIRSTON | MIDDLE BLOCKER | WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
Hairston comes to Birmingham from Winston-Salem, N.C. where she attended West Forsyth High School. From 2018-20 Hairston was named to the All-Conference team and 2019 MVP.
"Kennedy has a lot of qualities you look for in a great middle blocker," Freeburg said. "Her physicality and ability to get off the ground quickly could lead her to be an explosive attacker and blocker. She has also demonstrated the ability to attack off one foot which will add to her versatility."
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
"We are excited to finally announce this 2021 class," Freeburg said. "It has been great getting to know them all virtually over the last year, and we cannot wait to have them on campus soon. Each of them will bring their unique skills to the team, and we are looking forward to seeing how their gifts add to our growing culture."
AVERY LONG | LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | WAXAHACHIE, TEXAS
Long comes to Birmingham from Waxahachie, Texas where she played at Waxahachie High School. During her junior year, Long was named to District 7-6A Honorable Mention and Academic All-District Team. This past year the Waxahachie, Texas native was named the District 11-6A District Player of the Year and Academic All-State Team.
In addition to her volleyball accomplishments, Long is a member of National Honor Society and ranked Top-5% of her class. Long plans on becoming a cardiac ICU nurse after college.
"Avery comes to Birmingham with a love for both UAB and volleyball," Freeburg said. "Her love of the game is something that stood out throughout her recruiting process, and she lets that joy shine through when she plays. We're looking forward to her bringing great energy to the DS position for us and cannot wait to see her in a Blazer uniform."
MARY MORGAN FORMBY | SETTER | TUSCALOOSA, ALA.
Formby is a Spring 2021 enrollee at UAB and will be eligible for competition in Fall 2021. The Tuscaloosa, Ala. native was a two-time area tournament MVP, two-time player of the week and volleyball player of the year. Formby has over 1,000 kills in her career at Northridge High School. In addition to volleyball, she has played basketball, softball, soccer, track and field and swimming.
"Mary Morgan Formby has actually been in our gym since January as a midyear enrollee, and it has been a great head start for her to get used to training in a college environment," Freeburg said. "She is learning our systems from both a setting and attacking perspective, which is going to help her tremendously when she becomes eligible next fall. We're looking forward to seeing her compete in August."
KAYLA HARDY | LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | GALION, OHIO
The future Blazers makes her way to Birmingham from Galion, Ohio where she played at Galion High School for head coach Kristi Hardy.
The libero/defensive specialist has been named to the First-Team Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference all four years. She was also named to the All-Ohio Second Team twice. Hardy holds the Galion High School assist record and is sixth in Ohio high school history.
In addition to her volleyball accomplishments, Hardy is a member of the National Honor Society where she is the treasurer. She will also graduate high school with her associates degree from North Central State College.
"Kayla comes to us with a lot of high-level volleyball experience, and actually set her entire high school career," Freeburg said. "We anticipate Kayla bringing a high level of volleyball IQ into the defensive specialist position from her time as a six-rotation player and look forward to her being in Birmingham."
KENNEDY HAIRSTON | MIDDLE BLOCKER | WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
Hairston comes to Birmingham from Winston-Salem, N.C. where she attended West Forsyth High School. From 2018-20 Hairston was named to the All-Conference team and 2019 MVP.
"Kennedy has a lot of qualities you look for in a great middle blocker," Freeburg said. "Her physicality and ability to get off the ground quickly could lead her to be an explosive attacker and blocker. She has also demonstrated the ability to attack off one foot which will add to her versatility."
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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