The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Sand Volleyball Takes Third In Team Cup At FSU Tournament
4/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
Team Cup Results 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The UAB sand volleyball team finished third in the Team Cup at the Florida State Pairs Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The play was suspended due to severe weather and winner was determined based on matches completed.
The Team Cup consisted of six different divisions that included four pairs. UAB (7-8) totaled 32 points in the competition to finish behind first place Florida State (47.5) and second place Georgia State (40.5).
The Blazers had two pairs in the Silver Division. Seniors Rachel Fairbanks and Sara Rishell took second in the division with a 2-1 record to earn 10 points. The pair defeated Georgia State's Pickering and Dostalova, 20-22, 21-19, 15-13 and also topped teammates Kiriana Hirini and Bethanie Thomas, 21-12, 22-20.
Hirini and Thomas also competed in the Silver Division and picked up nine team cup points. The pair finished 0-3 in the pool. The Bronze Division was shortened with just two matches completed. Seniors Leslie Ekpe and Ally Slaughter fell in the only match to Eckerd's Reis and Kotnick, 23-21, 23-21.
UAB had the pair of senior Becca Howard and freshman Avei Logoleo in the AA Division. The duo finished 1-1 to take second in their pool and pick up four points. Howard and Logoleo fell in their first match, but rebounded for a 21-16, 21-18 win over Georgia State's Elmurr and Smestad.
The final two pairs for the Blazers were slated into the A Division. Freshman Anna-Mae Messisco and Gabbi Moreno along with the duo of sophomore Amber Treace and freshman Haley Jared each finished 1-1.
Messisco and Moreno fell in a three-set match, but picked up a win over Buresh and Jones of Eckerd, 21-12, 21-14. Treace and Jared opened the day with a win over Eckerd's Buresh and Jones, 21-16, 22-20.
It was the final regular season tournament for UAB. The Blazers will wait to know if they have been selected for the AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Championship, as the teams and pairs will be announced later this month.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For volleyball news, follow @UABSandVBall.
