The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Xavier
UAB Volleyball Opens 2022 Season at the Buffalo Invite
8/25/2022 5:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB Volleyball team opens the 2022 season at the Buffalo Invite in Buffalo N.Y. The Blazers have match appearances against Xavier and tournament host Buffalo on Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Cleveland State on Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.
UAB (0-0) vs. Xavier (0-0)
Aug. 25 | 9 a.m. | Buffalo, N.Y. | Alumni Arena
WATCH | LIVE STATS
UAB (0-0) vs. Buffalo (0-0)
Aug. 25 | 5 p.m. | Buffalo, N.Y. | Alumni Arena
WATCH | LIVE STATS
UAB (0-0) vs. Cleveland State (0-0)
Aug. 25 | 10 a.m. | Buffalo, N.Y. | Alumni Arena
WATCH | LIVE STATS
XAVIER 2021 REVIEW
Overall: 11-18 | Home: 5-8 | Away: 3-9 | Neutral: 3-1 | Streak: Xavier L4
BUFFALO 2021 REVIEW
Overall: 13-18 | Home: 5-7 | Away: 3-9 | Neutral: 5-1 | Streak: Buffalo W1
CLEVELAND STATE 2021 REVIEW
Overall: 9-7 | Home: 6-2 | Away: 3-5 | Neutral: 0-0 | Streak: Cleveland State W2
SEASON OUTLOOK
UAB comes off a season of progress from the 2021 campaign. The Blazers return with six upperclassmen on the roster and a total of five incoming freshmen. They're slated to finish sixth in C-USA according to the preseason conference poll.
Fernanda Maida, who received First Team Conference USA honors in 2021, joins teammate and Second Team All-Conference recipient Alex Kells as they return for their senior seasons. Maida received Preseason All-Conference team for the 2022 season representing the Blazers.
SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS
Xavier welcomes four additions to their roster for the 2022 season. The Musketeers had the opportunity to play a No. 10 ranked Louisville and No. 16/24 ranked Creighton squad, followed up with Marquette, who was receiving votes.
Setter Carrigan O'Reilley ranked third in assists per set in the Big East with 8.96 on average and 251 overall in the 2021 season. Returning middle blocker, Delaney Hogan led the Musketeers in kills with a total of 249.
SCOUTING THE BULLS
The Bulls come off a 2021 season with a medley of meetings from teams from the mid-atlantic to the midwest. Last season's schedule saw matchups against the University of Alabama, West Virginia and Connecticut.
This will be UAB's fourth meeting against Buffalo, with the previous three matchups resulting in wins for the Blazers. Their last meeting would be nearly a decade ago in September of 2012.
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
The Vikings are no stranger to the Blazers, with four prior meetings with UAB. The Blazers have won three of the four meetings, with their last meeting being in 2008.
Vikings setter Abby Miller received All-Freshman honors, leading the Horizon League with 567 assists and had a career-high 48 in the 2021 spring season, and went on to surpass 1,000 assists in her sophomore season. Libero Audrey Mcconihe tallied over 20 digs in six matches for Cleveland State.
QUOTE FROM BETSY FREEBURG
"We're looking forward to kick starting our season in Buffalo this weekend! The beginning of the season is always exciting because it's when you start to find out what the team is all about. While we get to play three quality opponents in Xavier, Buffalo and Cleveland State, this trip is particularly special because it's a homecoming of sorts for Alex Kells. We couldn't make it all the way to Canada, but figured we'd get as close as we could so her family could come see her compete after they were unable to travel to the US due to COVID restrictions for two of her seasons."
For more information on the UAB Volleyball Team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
