Beach Volleyball Upsets No. 18 Georgia State 3-2

Sunday, March 17

Columbia, S.C.

11 a.m.

UAB

Eastern Kentucky

Beach Volleyball Upsets No. 18 Georgia State 3-2

3/17/2019 8:36:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball

UAB 5, Eastern Kentucky 0 UAB 3, Georgia State 2

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The UAB beach volleyball team notched its second win in program history over a nationally ranked opponent as the Blazers defeated No. 18 Georgia State 3-2 on Sunday afternoon to conclude the Gamecock Grand Slam.

The win for the Blazers (9-7, 2-6 CCSA) is not only their second victory over a nationally ranked opponent, but also their second win over a conference opponent this season, marking the first time UAB has won two regular season conference matches in the same season.

"The weekend came with a few key opportunities for us to step up to the plate and we made some adjustments today on day two of the tournament," head coach Kyra Iannone said. "I am very proud of how the girls came together and win this match as an entire team more than ever before."

After Emma Andraka and Jenna Gathright defeated Georgia State on court five, the two teams entered courts 1-3 even in the match at 1-1 as GSU won on court four.

The Blazers then surged ahead 2-1 with a decisive court one victory for Jaelyn Keene and Tressa Buckland over Eden Hawes and Georgia Johnson, 21-18, 21-14.

Both courts two and three went to three sets and GSU evened the match at 2-2 with a court three victory over Jayme Bratsberg and Annie Pringle, 16-21, 24-22, 15-6.

With the match in the balance on court two, Kenley Adams and SalliAnne Napolitano secured the team victory as they outlasted GSU's Olivia Stasevich and Maddy Delmonte 19-21, 21-18, 15-11 for a signature win over the Panthers.

The Blazers also defeated Eastern Kentucky in the morning match as UAB finished the Gamecock Grand Slam with an overall record of 2-2.

After an impressive Sunday in Columbia, the Blazers hope to keep that momentum going as they travel to Atlanta next weekend to face College of Charleston, University of Tampa, UNC Wilmington and Arizona State.