The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Trio of Blazers Named to All-Conference USA Volleyball Teams
3/31/2021 2:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – Three members of the UAB volleyball team, Fernanda Maida, Alex Kells and Erin Powers, were selected to All-Conference USA Teams, the league office announced on Wednesday.
"It is an honor to have players recognized for their hard work and success at a conference level especially in C-USA where there are so many great players," head coach Betsy Freeburg said. "While these are individual awards, they are a testament to the effort our entire team has put forth, and we are so proud of what UAB has accomplished so far this season."
FERNANDA MAIDA – FIRST TEAM
Maida was named to the First Team All-Conference. The first-team selection marks the first such honor for a Blazer since 2013. She leads the team and conference in attacks per set (13.22) and kills per set (4.66). Both rank within the top-10 nationally.
The sophomore had a career and program-record 28 kills against UTSA on March 22. This season, Maida recorded double-digit kills in every match she has played, including three 20-plus kill matches. She also has 12 aces and 19 blocks on the year.
"Fernanda has proven week after week that she is a player who belongs in the conversation for the best player in our league," Freeburg added. "She undoubtedly has a talent in scoring the ball and has also embraced her role as a six-rotation passer for us. Fern's humility has allowed her to continue to improve as the season progresses and it is great that she is being recognized for the year she has had."
ALEX KELLS – SECOND TEAM
Kells is second on the team with 114 kills and 129.5 points thus far on the season. She ranks seventh in Conference USA in kills per set (3.26) and in points per set (3.70). The junior posted a career-high .458 hitting percentage versus Louisiana Tech on Feb. 27. Kells set a career-high with 19 digs versus UTSA on March 22 and recorded a season-high 17 kills against UTEP on Feb. 17.
"Alex played a vital role to our team's success and she was able to do that through embracing her role as an attacker and defender," Freeburg said. "She has great hand contact and has discovered a wide variety of ways to score. We are so proud and excited for her that her hard work is honored through this recognition."
ERIN POWERS – ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Powers appeared in all 53 sets this season as the libero. She leads the team with 189 digs, averaging 4.14 per set, which ranks fourth in the conference and the most of any freshman. The Mukwonago, Wisc. native tallied a career-high 22 digs at Southern Miss on March 8. Powers assisted on a career-high 13 kills versus UTSA on March 22. On the season, she has 10 service aces, all in C-USA play.
"Erin has done a great job anchoring both our serve receive and back court defense since she came on campus last July," Freeburg said. "There are often times we even forget that she is a freshman because of her poise and her confidence on the court. She has a very bright future ahead of her. This season there were a lot of very good freshmen in our league and there's no doubt Erin belongs in this company."
The Blazers travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. for the Conference USA Tournament for a quarterfinal matchup against Charlotte on April 1. Live stats and streaming information for each match can be found on the UAB volleyball schedule page.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
"It is an honor to have players recognized for their hard work and success at a conference level especially in C-USA where there are so many great players," head coach Betsy Freeburg said. "While these are individual awards, they are a testament to the effort our entire team has put forth, and we are so proud of what UAB has accomplished so far this season."
FERNANDA MAIDA – FIRST TEAM
Maida was named to the First Team All-Conference. The first-team selection marks the first such honor for a Blazer since 2013. She leads the team and conference in attacks per set (13.22) and kills per set (4.66). Both rank within the top-10 nationally.
The sophomore had a career and program-record 28 kills against UTSA on March 22. This season, Maida recorded double-digit kills in every match she has played, including three 20-plus kill matches. She also has 12 aces and 19 blocks on the year.
"Fernanda has proven week after week that she is a player who belongs in the conversation for the best player in our league," Freeburg added. "She undoubtedly has a talent in scoring the ball and has also embraced her role as a six-rotation passer for us. Fern's humility has allowed her to continue to improve as the season progresses and it is great that she is being recognized for the year she has had."
ALEX KELLS – SECOND TEAM
Kells is second on the team with 114 kills and 129.5 points thus far on the season. She ranks seventh in Conference USA in kills per set (3.26) and in points per set (3.70). The junior posted a career-high .458 hitting percentage versus Louisiana Tech on Feb. 27. Kells set a career-high with 19 digs versus UTSA on March 22 and recorded a season-high 17 kills against UTEP on Feb. 17.
"Alex played a vital role to our team's success and she was able to do that through embracing her role as an attacker and defender," Freeburg said. "She has great hand contact and has discovered a wide variety of ways to score. We are so proud and excited for her that her hard work is honored through this recognition."
ERIN POWERS – ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Powers appeared in all 53 sets this season as the libero. She leads the team with 189 digs, averaging 4.14 per set, which ranks fourth in the conference and the most of any freshman. The Mukwonago, Wisc. native tallied a career-high 22 digs at Southern Miss on March 8. Powers assisted on a career-high 13 kills versus UTSA on March 22. On the season, she has 10 service aces, all in C-USA play.
"Erin has done a great job anchoring both our serve receive and back court defense since she came on campus last July," Freeburg said. "There are often times we even forget that she is a freshman because of her poise and her confidence on the court. She has a very bright future ahead of her. This season there were a lot of very good freshmen in our league and there's no doubt Erin belongs in this company."
The Blazers travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. for the Conference USA Tournament for a quarterfinal matchup against Charlotte on April 1. Live stats and streaming information for each match can be found on the UAB volleyball schedule page.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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