The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sand Volleyball Opens 2015 Season Tuesday
3/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB sand volleyball team will begin the 2015 season at home as it hosts South Carolina on Tuesday. The Blazers and Gamecocks are slated to play at 11 a.m. CT at the UAB Sand Courts.
In its fourth year as a program, UAB will play three home events this season with two being dual matches. This will be the first of two meetings currently slated between the Blazers and South Carolina.
Entering this season UAB returns a large part of its lineup from last season. No. 1 duo Bethanie Thomas and Kiriana Hirini will pair up for the third-straight year. They made their second consecutive trip to the AVCA Nationals last season.
Also returning will be seniors Rachel Fairbanks, Becca Howard, Sara Rishell and Ally Slaughter. Rishell is in her second season with the Blazers while Fairbanks, Howard and Slaughter have competed in all three previous seasons.
The newcomers will include senior Leslie Ekpe along with freshmen Avei Logoleo, Anna-Mae Messisco and Gabbi Moreno. Moreno and Ekpe both competed with the indoor team in the fall. Logoleo and Messisco are UAB's first sand-only recruits.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For sand volleyball news, follow @UABSandVBall.
