The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Friday, September 5
Birmingham, AL
1:00 p.m.
UAB
vs
USC Upstate
UAB Volleyball set to host Blazer Invitational
9/4/2025 6:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB is home at Bartow Arena for the first time in 2025, hosting the Blazer Invitational on Friday, September 5, and Saturday, September 6. The Blazers welcome USC Upstate, Tennessee Tech, and North Alabama to the Magic City for six total matches, three of which include UAB.
FOLLOW LIVE
Friday, September 5, 10 a.m. | North Alabama vs Tennessee Tech | Live Stats | Tickets
Friday, September 5, 1 p.m. | USC Upstate at UAB | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
Friday, September 5, 4 p.m. | North Alabama vs USC Upstate | Live Stats | Tickets
Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. | Tennessee Tech at UAB | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
Saturday, September 6, 12 p.m. | USC Upstate vs Tennessee Tech | Live Stats | Tickets
Saturday, September 6, 3 p.m. | North Alabama at UAB | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
RECAPPING THE CRIMSON TIDE INVITATIONAL
UAB went 1-2 at the Crimson Tide Invitational, coming within points of a winning record for the weekend. Despite falling behind 0-2 against Jacksonville, UAB went the third and fourth sets and took a 13-11 lead in the decisive set, but fell short against the Dolphins in the season opener. Despite the loss, Jorda Crook and Mia Reese shined in the five-set battle. Crook recorded 25 kills, her career high and the most by a Blazer since 2021. Reese notched her first career double-double with 15 kills and 17 digs.
The Blazers handled UNC Asheville with ease, defeating the Bulldogs in straight sets. Reese completed her day with 11 kills and no errors on 20 attacks, hitting .550 in the match. Izabella Carter logged her second double-double of the day against UNC Asheville, with 20+ assists and 10+ digs in both matches.
Tournament hosts Alabama won the Blazers' final match of the tournament. The dominant Alabama offense cruised to a 3-0 victory over UAB.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blazers take on USC Upstate for the first time in the program's history.
UAB and Tennessee Tech face off for the first time since the Blazers and Golden Eagles met twice in 2016. UAB and Tennessee Tech split their results in 2016, with UAB winning 3-0 on home court, while Tennessee Tech won 3-2 on a neutral court. All-time, UAB leads the series 9-6 and is 4-3 at home.
The Blazers and North Alabama meet for the second year in a row, but for the first time in Birmingham since 1983. UAB has won the last four matchups between the two programs, including a 3-0 win last season. UAB leads the all-time series 5-4, but is just 1-2 at home.
TOURNAMENT SCOUTING
All three opponents enter the tournament at or above .500 through the first week of the season.
The Blazers' first opponent, USC Upstate, fought to a fifth set with American Conference foe, Memphis, before sweeping Tennessee State and Northwestern State. The Spartans played a midweek match, falling to Queens 3-1 on Wednesday.
North Alabama opened the season with wins against Grambling State, 3-0, and SEMO, 3-1, before losing at Mississippi State in straight sets. The Lions also played a midweek, losing at Alabama A&M, 3-1 on Tuesday.
Tennessee Tech did not play a midweek match and enters Bartow 2-1. Tennessee Tech lost its season opener to Xavier, but bounced back with wins over Murray State, 3-0, and Austin Peay, 3-2.
FOLLOW LIVE
Friday, September 5, 10 a.m. | North Alabama vs Tennessee Tech | Live Stats | Tickets
Friday, September 5, 1 p.m. | USC Upstate at UAB | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
Friday, September 5, 4 p.m. | North Alabama vs USC Upstate | Live Stats | Tickets
Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. | Tennessee Tech at UAB | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
Saturday, September 6, 12 p.m. | USC Upstate vs Tennessee Tech | Live Stats | Tickets
Saturday, September 6, 3 p.m. | North Alabama at UAB | Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
RECAPPING THE CRIMSON TIDE INVITATIONAL
UAB went 1-2 at the Crimson Tide Invitational, coming within points of a winning record for the weekend. Despite falling behind 0-2 against Jacksonville, UAB went the third and fourth sets and took a 13-11 lead in the decisive set, but fell short against the Dolphins in the season opener. Despite the loss, Jorda Crook and Mia Reese shined in the five-set battle. Crook recorded 25 kills, her career high and the most by a Blazer since 2021. Reese notched her first career double-double with 15 kills and 17 digs.
The Blazers handled UNC Asheville with ease, defeating the Bulldogs in straight sets. Reese completed her day with 11 kills and no errors on 20 attacks, hitting .550 in the match. Izabella Carter logged her second double-double of the day against UNC Asheville, with 20+ assists and 10+ digs in both matches.
Tournament hosts Alabama won the Blazers' final match of the tournament. The dominant Alabama offense cruised to a 3-0 victory over UAB.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blazers take on USC Upstate for the first time in the program's history.
UAB and Tennessee Tech face off for the first time since the Blazers and Golden Eagles met twice in 2016. UAB and Tennessee Tech split their results in 2016, with UAB winning 3-0 on home court, while Tennessee Tech won 3-2 on a neutral court. All-time, UAB leads the series 9-6 and is 4-3 at home.
The Blazers and North Alabama meet for the second year in a row, but for the first time in Birmingham since 1983. UAB has won the last four matchups between the two programs, including a 3-0 win last season. UAB leads the all-time series 5-4, but is just 1-2 at home.
TOURNAMENT SCOUTING
All three opponents enter the tournament at or above .500 through the first week of the season.
The Blazers' first opponent, USC Upstate, fought to a fifth set with American Conference foe, Memphis, before sweeping Tennessee State and Northwestern State. The Spartans played a midweek match, falling to Queens 3-1 on Wednesday.
North Alabama opened the season with wins against Grambling State, 3-0, and SEMO, 3-1, before losing at Mississippi State in straight sets. The Lions also played a midweek, losing at Alabama A&M, 3-1 on Tuesday.
Tennessee Tech did not play a midweek match and enters Bartow 2-1. Tennessee Tech lost its season opener to Xavier, but bounced back with wins over Murray State, 3-0, and Austin Peay, 3-2.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
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