UAB Goes Undefeated at Blazer Beach Bash to Open 2019

Saturday, February 23

Birmingham, Ala.

9:30 a.m.

UAB

Louisiana Monroe

UAB Goes Undefeated at Blazer Beach Bash to Open 2019

2/23/2019 6:14:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB beach volleyball team capped a perfect 4-0 weekend with a pair of wins over Louisiana Monroe and Huntingdon College to conclude the Blazer Beach Bash on the campus of UAB.

The Blazers opened day two of action with a 3-2 victory over Louisiana Monroe, then blanked Huntingdon College 5-0 in what was the first match between the two schools to cap the perfect weekend

"Starting the season 4-0 4-0 and doing it in front of our community is special for us," said head coach Kyra Iannone. "We recognize some key parts of our game we can work on this week leading leading up to some of the best teams in the nation next weekend in Boca Raton."

The Blazers had three pairs go undefeated this weekend, while UAB's top duo Kenley Adams and SalliAnne Napolitano won every set.

UAB 3, LOUISIANA MONROE 2

The Blazers notched victories on courts one, three and five to defeat the Warhawks on Saturday morning at Blazer Beach.

The freshman duo of Emma Andraka and Jenna Gathright improved their record to 3-0 overall by tallying a straight-set victory over ULM's duo of Pontheiux Smith which gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead in the match.

ULM evened the contest at 1-1 with a three-set victory on court four, but Tressa Buckland and Annie Pringle continued their strong play by winning their third-consecutive match in straight sets, 21-16, 21-18.

ULM once against drew even with a 27-25, 21-15 victory on court two, but UAB's top pair of Kenley Adams and SalliAnne Napolitano secured the team victory for the Blazers as they topped ULM's duo of Grace Convey and Gabby Love 21-14, 21-19.

Court 1: Kenley Adams/SalliAnne Napolitano (UAB) def. Grace Convey/Gabby Love (ULM): 21-14, 21-19
Court 2: Cat Griffith/Maile Sellers (ULM) def. Jaelyn Keene/Jayme Bratsburg (UAB): 27-25, 21-15
Court 3: Tressa Buckland/Annie Pringle (UAB) def. Tamara Merseli/Kayla Gallant (ULM): 21-16, 21-18
Court 4: Elizabeth Moreland/Allie Kemp (ULM) def. Emily Martinez/Britteny Munro (UAB): 21-14, 16-21, 15-13
Court 5: Emma Andraka/Jenna Gaithright (UAB) def. Holland Pontheiux/Bailey Smith (ULM): 21-14, 21-8

UAB 5, HUNTINGDON COLLEGE 0

The Blazers cruised to its second 5-0 victory of the weekend as four of five courts we won in straight sets.

Court 1: Kenley Adams/SalliAnne Napolitano (UAB) def. Cheyenne Scarbrough/Halee Hatcher (HC): 21-12, 21-14
Court 2: Jaelyn Keene/Jayme Bratsberg (UAB) def. Nichole Leferve/Addison Genard (HC): 21-11, 21-12
Court 3: Tressa Buckland/Annie Pringle (UAB) def. Lexi DeVuyst/Amy Tyma (HC): 17-21, 21-15, 15-13
Court 4: Emily Martinez/Britteny Munro (UAB) def. Kaitlyn Carter/Shelby McAllister (HC): 21-16, 21-11
Court 5: Emma Andraka/Jenna Garthright (UAB) def. April Reese/Alexis Creasman (HC): 21-10, 21-17

UAB will be tested next week in one of the most competitive tournaments to date which features five teams from the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association in Boca Raton. The Blazers, who are receiving votes in the national polls, will play conference members No. 3 Florida State, No. 9 South Carolina, No. 20 Florida Atlantic and No. 7 LSU.