The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Beach Volleyball 2022 Season Preview
1/6/2022 11:11:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – Anticipation and expectations are at an all-time high for the UAB beach volleyball program as the Blazers enter year two under the direction of head coach Terri Del Conte.
UAB achieved numerous program milestones in 2021, including cracking the Top 20 for the first time in program history. With a core nucleus of returning talent, the Blazers look to take the next step of being a fixture in the national rankings.
"This season's schedule is strong and so is our team," said Del Conte. "We are looking forward to going to new places and showing how proud we are to represent UAB."
Rachel Tam highlights the returners and enters her final season looking to once again anchor the top of UAB's lineup. Tam tied a school-record with 14 court one victories last season and eyes the school record for most career court one wins this season.
Tam's partner last season, Mikayla Law-Heese, returns for her third season and was alongside Tam for 12 of those court one victories last season.
The majority of UAB's lineup from last season remains intact as veterans Emma Andraka, Arden Copping, Jenna Gathright, Dylynn Otte, Adriana Pereira and Ella Alexander all return with significant playing experience under their belts. Gathright leads all active Blazers with 31 career victories.
A major addition to the roster this year is two-time AVCA All-South Region and two-time First Team All-Conference USA outside hitter Fernanda Maida, who will be playing her first season of beach for the Blazers. Maida brings international beach experience after playing junior nationals for her native country of Bolivia prior to enrolling at UAB three years ago. Maida is expected to compete for immediate playing time at the top of UAB's lineup and adds a major blocker and depth to the roster.
Jessica Ennis (R-So.) and Pearl Moore (So.) both enter their second full year of playing and saw limited action last season. The redshirt tag is off freshman Jessica Twilley as she looks to compete for playing time in 2022.
Three true freshmen in Ellie Heflin, Ali O'Donnell and Naomi Ortiz round out UAB's roster of 15 total players.
UAB opens the season on Feb. 25 at Florida State, and will once again host two headliner tournaments – The March to May (March 18-20) and the NCAA National Championship (First week of May) – Both in Gulf Shores, Ala.
For more information on the UAB beach volleyball team, be sure to follow @UAB_BVB on Twitter and Instagram.
UAB achieved numerous program milestones in 2021, including cracking the Top 20 for the first time in program history. With a core nucleus of returning talent, the Blazers look to take the next step of being a fixture in the national rankings.
"This season's schedule is strong and so is our team," said Del Conte. "We are looking forward to going to new places and showing how proud we are to represent UAB."
Rachel Tam highlights the returners and enters her final season looking to once again anchor the top of UAB's lineup. Tam tied a school-record with 14 court one victories last season and eyes the school record for most career court one wins this season.
Tam's partner last season, Mikayla Law-Heese, returns for her third season and was alongside Tam for 12 of those court one victories last season.
The majority of UAB's lineup from last season remains intact as veterans Emma Andraka, Arden Copping, Jenna Gathright, Dylynn Otte, Adriana Pereira and Ella Alexander all return with significant playing experience under their belts. Gathright leads all active Blazers with 31 career victories.
A major addition to the roster this year is two-time AVCA All-South Region and two-time First Team All-Conference USA outside hitter Fernanda Maida, who will be playing her first season of beach for the Blazers. Maida brings international beach experience after playing junior nationals for her native country of Bolivia prior to enrolling at UAB three years ago. Maida is expected to compete for immediate playing time at the top of UAB's lineup and adds a major blocker and depth to the roster.
Jessica Ennis (R-So.) and Pearl Moore (So.) both enter their second full year of playing and saw limited action last season. The redshirt tag is off freshman Jessica Twilley as she looks to compete for playing time in 2022.
Three true freshmen in Ellie Heflin, Ali O'Donnell and Naomi Ortiz round out UAB's roster of 15 total players.
UAB opens the season on Feb. 25 at Florida State, and will once again host two headliner tournaments – The March to May (March 18-20) and the NCAA National Championship (First week of May) – Both in Gulf Shores, Ala.
For more information on the UAB beach volleyball team, be sure to follow @UAB_BVB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
UAB Baseball | The Quick Cut: at Alabama
Thursday, April 23
UAB Beach Volleyball | The Quick Cut: Blazer Beach Bash
Saturday, April 18
UAB Softball | The Quick Cut: Memphis Series
Thursday, April 09
UAB vs ECU Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
