The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tarleton State University
Volleyball Returns Home to Host the Blazer Classic
9/7/2023 5:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Volleyball returns home to Bartow Arena, competing in the Blazer Classic on Sept. 8-10, 2023. The Blazers, who came off a 1-2 run at the UIC invitational, finished with a five-set win over SIUE on Saturday Afternoon.
Kelsey Smith was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting her third career double-double on the year in the team win on Saturday. The Blazers return to Bartow with a record of 2-4.
"Some of our younger Blazers really started to step up for us. Kelsey Smith was named to the All-Tournament Team with some strong offensive matches against UIC and SIUE. Mia Reese had a great weekend on the arm with 20 kills in our last match, and we are looking to build off that momentum as we go into this weekend at home." said head coach Betsy Freeburg.
UAB welcomes Tarleton State, Texas A&M Commerce and Alabama to their home court, taking on Tarleton on Friday, Texas A&M Commerce Saturday and Alabama on Sunday for the tournament finale.
UAB (2-4, 0-0 AAC) vs. Tarleton State (3-4, 0-0 WAC)
Sept. 8 | 7 PM | Bartow Area | Birmingham, Ala.
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
SCOUTING THE TEXANS
The Texans come into the scene with a 3-4 record, falling to Prairie View, Northern Arizona and Incarnate Word in their home tournament opener. They tallied another loss before starting a two-match win streak over UTSA and Lamar. Like the Blazers, the Texans have gone the distance with five-setters in four matches this season. Of the four five-setters, they have gone 1-3.
It will be the first meeting between UAB and Tarleton all-time, with the Texans having the upperhand in attacks with a percentage of .224. Allison Bryant leads the way in kills with 97, also tallying up five aces for the Texans. The junior has played every set, totalling double-digit kills in each match except the team's meeting against Lamar.
On the defensive, Tarleton allows 2.4 blocks per set by their opponents. They total eight solo blocks to UAB's 14 on the season. Averaging 13.77 digs per set, the Texans are ranked in the middle of the pack in the WAC, led by DS Matti Theurer. When it c omes to blocks, Emma Burke leads with a hitting percentage of .364.
UAB (2-4, 0-0 AAC) vs. Texas A&M Commerce (2-6, 0-0 SLC)
Sept. 9 | 2 PM | Bartow Area | Birmingham, Ala.
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Texas A&M Commerce also meets the Blazers for the first time ever. Last season they finished 11-24, falling to McNeese in a straight-set loss in the quarterfinals. Taking on the likes of Texas Tech and Wyoming to start their season, the Lions sit at a record of 2-6. The team allows 378 kills to their 262. They sit at an attack percentage of .128.
Kitana Tuufili leads the team in kills with 73, where she totalled a season-high attack percentage of .409 against UTSA. She tied in a season-high of kills with 14 versus Abilene Christian and PVAMU. Defensively, Avery Wilks and Jade Smith are two Lions to keep an eye on, with Smith leading in digs with 122 and Wilks totalling 20 block assists and averaging a block per set.
UAB (2-4, 0-0 AAC) vs. Alabama (6-0, 0-0 SEC)
Sept. 10 | 1 PM | Bartow Area | Birmingham, Ala.
WATCH LIVE | LIVE STATS
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama and UAB meet for the second time in 2023, this time for a regular season meeting. The Crimson Tide welcomed the Blazers to Tuscaloosa in the spring match series. This go round, the Blazers welcome the Tide to Bartow for the first time since 2019 where UAB fell to Alabama 0-3. The last win for the Blazers over Alabama came in 2007 in a five-setter.
The Crimson Tide sits at a perfect 6-0 in the 2023 season, playing 19 sets, only dropping one in their meeting with Sam Houston. They hold their opponents to an attack percentage of .110, while they sit at a percentage of .319. In the team's win over Sam Houston, they finished with a season-high in kills, assists and digs.
Kendyl Reaugh leads Alabama in kills with 64, along with being ranked second in digs and service aces. The outside hitter put up a 20-kill, 15-dig match over SHU. Behind Reaugh is Micah Gryniewicz with 55 total kills. The Chandler, Ariz. native finished with double-digit kills over Mercer and Sam Houston. The Crimson Tide ranks top-five in six statistical categories, with a number one ranking in service aces.
PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY: HEROES NIGHT
Healthcare workers, first responders and retired/active military can gain entry to the match against Tarleton State for $3.
SUNDAY: "MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MATCH"
UAB Volleyball and Student Counseling Services partner up on Sunday to highlight Mental Health Awareness Week. SCS will be in the upper concourse with mental health service resources and giveaways next to the athletics marketing table.
Fans are encouraged to wear green in solidarity to mental health awareness.
POST MATCH AUTOGRAPHS
Fans can meet with UAB Volleyball post-match for an autograph session with coach Freeburg and the Blazers.
FOLLOW UAB VOLLEYBALL
To keep up with UAB Volleyball, follow @UAB_VB on Instagram and Twitter.
2023-24 GOLD CARD
Purchase the 2023-24 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2023-24 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for AAC or NCAA Championship events.
