The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Mercer
UAB Sand Volleyball Defeats Mercer, 3-2
4/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB sand volleyball team picked up wins at the top three positions to defeat Mercer, 3-2, on Wednesday in the final home match of the season.
UAB improved to 7-8 on the season with the win and 2-0 over Mercer (8-9) this season. The Blazers had to come from behind down 2-1 and win three-straight to secure the match.
Seniors Ally Slaughter and Leslie Ekpe put UAB on the board with a win at the No. 3 position. The pair topped Mercer's Sophie Peel and Hannah Sorensen, 21-17, 21-17 for the win.
With the win, the Blazers still trailed 2-1 with the final two matches to play. Senior Rachel Fairbanks and Sara Rishell tied the match up at 2-2 with a win over Zoe Becton and Emily Rochefort, 22-20, 21-13. The pair improved to 5-0 since moving up in the lineup to the No. 2 position. 
The match then came down to the No. 1 position. Seniors Kiriana Hirini and Bethanie Thomas closed out the victory for the Blazers with a 21-14, 21-13, win over Mercer's Emma Peel and Tori Penrod. 
Senior Becca Howard and freshman Avei Logoleo fell to Gretja Otten and Jessica Johnson, 21-13, 21-13. Freshmen Anna-Mae Messisco and Gabbi Moreno lost to Emily Krogman and Erin Brett, 21-13, 21-11. 
Sophomore Amber Treace and freshman Haley Jared competed in exhibition. The duo fell to Claire Waliczek and Madison Kerr, 21-18, 21-10.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For sand volleyball news, follow @UABSandVBall.
Results
UAB 3, Mercer 2
No. 1: Hirini/Thomas (UAB) def. Pell/Penrod (Mercer), 21-14, 21-13
No. 2: Fairbanks/Rishell (UAB) def. Becton/Rochefort (Mercer), 22-20, 21-13
No. 3: Slaugther/Ekpe (UAB) def. Peel/Sorensen (Mercer), 21-17, 21-17
No. 4: Krogman/Brett (Mercer) def. Messisco/Moreno (UAB), 21-13, 21-11
No. 5: Otten/Johnson (Mercer) def. Howard/Logoleo (UAB), 21-13, 21-13
Exhibition: Waliczek/Kerr (Mercer) def. Treace/Jared (UAB), 21-18, 21-10
