The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jacksonville
Blazers to Open Season at Crimson Tide Invitational
8/28/2025 12:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB Volleyball is set to open its sixth season under Head Coach Betsy Freeburg on Friday, August 29, at the Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Blazers will play two neutral-site matches on Friday and close the weekend by taking on Alabama on Saturday. UAB's season begins at 10 a.m. CT, Friday vs Jacksonville, shortly followed by UNC Asheville at 3:30 p.m. CT. The Blazers and Crimson Tide will clash at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, with the game streamed live on SEC Network+.
FOLLOW LIVE
Friday, August 29, 10 a.m. - vs Jacksonville | Live Stats
Friday, August 29, 3:30 p.m. - vs UNC Asheville | Live Stats
Saturday, August 30, 3 p.m. - at Alabama | Watch | Live Stats
CROOK PRESEASON HONORS
Junior opposite hitter, Jorda Crook, was unanimously named to the American Conference Preseason All-Conference Team. Crook was one of two athletes named unanimously to the team, along with Preseason Player of the Year, Maria Clara Andrade of South Florida.
Crook led the Blazers in kills and points as a sophomore, totaling 354 kills and 420.5 points in 2024. Crook was named to the American All-Conference First Team in 2024.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
96% of UAB's production from pin hitters returns in 2025. Crook, Mia Reese, and Abby Jones bring experience to the Blazer offense, with the trio combining for 837 kills in 2024.
REVAMPED BLAZERS
The 2025 squad features eight new faces, accounting for 50% of the roster. Two transfers, Juliet Galla and Sara Sykes, both defensive specialists, join UAB for their sophomore seasons. Galla, a Mobile, Ala. native, comes to the Magic City from Tulane, where she appeared in 27 matches for the Green Wave, tallying 62 digs. Sykes played nine matches at James Madison in 2024.
Six true freshmen make up the remainder of the newcomers. Outside hitter Kennedy Vaughn, the 2024 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year, joins Crook, Reese, and Jones, adding to the pin hitter depth. Vaughn's high school teammate, Riley Lovell, will make an immediate impact, splitting setter responsibilities with senior Izabella Carter.
The final four freshmen are all middle blockers: Lia Beverly, Kennedy Vincent, Addyson Smock, and Kennedy Jones. The four of them will battle for their spot in the rotation with redshirt sophomore Summer Snead, the only returning middle blocker for UAB.
FREEBURG RETURNS TO FOSTER
Blazers' Associate Head Coach Ryan Freeburg makes his first competitive return to Foster Auditorium since his five-year term as assistant coach of the Crimson Tide from 2014-18.
SERIES HISTORY
UAB takes on Jacksonville for the first time in 24 years, last meeting on August 31, 2001 when the Blazers defeated the Dolphins in five sets. UAB leads the all-time series 10-9.
The Blazers also lead their all-time series against UNC Asheville. With only four past matchups, UAB's ended up on the winning side of the last three, sweeping UNC Asheville in each of the three.
UAB's last match against the Crimson Tide was in 2023, but the Blazers have not faced the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa since 2014. Alabama leads the series 11-19, taking the last five in a row.
TOURNAMENT SCOUTING
Jacksonville finished a game above .500 in 2024, going 15-14 with an impressive 10-6 record in ASUN play. Senior outside hitter Breanna McDonough was named to the Preseason All-ASUN team. The Dolphins were selected joint-fifth in the ASUN preseason coaches' poll.
UNC Asheville went one game below .500 last season, finishing 11-12 overall and 5-9 in Big South matches. The Bulldogs landed two players on the Big South Preseason All-Conference Team: Kylie Cackovic and Michelle Thao. Cackovic, a redshirt junior outside hitter, led UNC Asheville in kills last season. Thao was named preseason co-libero of the year for the conference.
Alabama finished 8-3 in non-conference matches last season, going 11-16 overall and 3-13 in SEC play. The Crimson Tide did not land any players on the SEC preseason team, and were picked last of 16 in the coaches' poll. Alabama head coach Rashinda Reed welcomes a brand new assistant coaching staff and five transfers, looking to turn around the program.
