The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Hosts Annual Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational
9/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tournament play wraps up this weekend as the UAB volleyball team hosts the Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational at Bartow Arena, Sept. 15-17.
The tournament serves to honor Hal Messersmith, a long-time coach and husband of current UAB volleyball head coach Kerry Messersmith, who lost his battle with cancer in July of 2013.
For the Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational tournament page, click here. Fans can also follow throughout the weekend on Twitter @UAB_VB and on Instagram @UAB_VB.
Match Information: Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational
Site: Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Ala.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 15 – Saturday, Sept. 17
Schedule
Thursday
7 p.m. UAB vs. UL Lafayette
Friday
10 a.m. UAB vs. UT Martin
12:30 p.m. Memphis vs. UL Lafayette
4:30 p.m. UL Lafayette vs. UT Martin
7 p.m. UAB vs. Memphis
Saturday
11 a.m. UT Martin vs. Memphis
The Series
UAB will face UL Lafayette for the fifth time in school history with UAB leading the all-time series 3-1.
UT Martin and UAB are also meeting for the fifth time, with the Blazers leading 3-1 as well.
This will be the 52nd meeting between UAB and Memphis dating back to their time as Conference USA rivals. Memphis holds a 33-18 advantage.
On the Blazers
The Blazers enter the weekend after a big 3-2 win over Troy on Tuesday night. UAB gas won four of its last five matches overall.
Haley Jared leads the way offensively for the Blazers with 137 kills (3.11 kills/set) and owns a .210 attack percentage.
Erika Zembyla ranks second on the team with 131 kills (3.20 kills/set). Amber Treace leads the squad with a .362 hitting percentage and 472 assists.
Defensively, Victoria Young has tallied 50 blocks (1.19 blocks/set). The Mobile, Ala., native ranks second on the squad with a .327 hitting percentage.
Petra Silic continues to play a vital role for the Blazers. Her 108 kills (2.45 kills/set) is good enough for third on the team and she has 46 total blocks.
Scouting UL Lafayette
UL Lafayette brings a 1-10 record into the weekend. The Ragin’ Cajuns are led by Stacey Reilly who has 155 kills (3.52 kills/set) and posts a .206 attack percentage. Jessica Bartczyszym controls the offense with 438 assists (9.73 assists/set) and posts the second highest hitting percentage on the team with a .247 mark. Chanelle Gardner leads the team with 39 total blocks (0.87) while Sydney Davis has averages a team-high 3.56 digs/set.
Scouting UT Martin
The Skyhawks come into the tournament looking to improve their 3-9 record. Madison Wessling has a team-high 103 kills (2.64 kills/set) and Macy Reigelsperger is just behind her with 95 (2.44 kills/set). Alisha Erves leads the team in attack percentage with a .407 mark. Defensively, Jemima Idemudia is best on the squad with 44 total blocks and Colleen Larson has tallied a team-high 139 digs.
Scouting Memphis
Memphis is 5-4 overall. Catlin Lilly has struck 93 kills in those nine matches, while Summer Morgan has chipped in 78. Regan Comperry runs the offense with 285 assists (10.18 assists/set). Michaella Moss has 130 digs while Morgan leads the team with 28 blocks (0.93 blocks/set).
A Look Ahead
The Blazers begin conference play against Middle Tennessee on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Bartow Arena.
Promotions
Thursday is Luau Night which features free leis and food vouchers to the first 100 fans that arrive at Bartow Arena. Also, free Fight Like Hal t-shirts will be given out all weekend for fans that come out to support Blazer Volleyball.
*While supplies last
Pregame
Belles and Whistles, a group dedicated to supporting UAB Women’s Athletics, will hosts its first event of the 2016-2017 school year on Thursday, September 15th, at 7:00 PM vs. UL Lafayette to kick off the Fight Like Hal Memorial Invitational. Enjoy a pre-game meal in the Champion Club room beginning at 6:00 PM.
