April 23, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 2007 UAB Volleyball schedule was released Monday by Blazer head coach Kerry Messersmith. The Blazers will begin their season on Aug. 24 against Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn. and will begin their defense of the Conference USA championship when they travel to play Memphis on Sept. 13.

"We're excited for the 2007 season to get underway," said Messersmith. "I think we've put together a very good schedule for 2007 and after last season's results and the way the girls worked during the spring season - we're very excited for the upcoming season."

Four tournaments appear on this year's schedule, most notably the Bama Bash, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. The tournament, hosted by Alabama, will feature Illinois State, Sacramento State and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

"The Alabama tournament will be the toughest of our four tournaments," said Messersmith. "Sacramento State is an excellent program and Alabama is always very good as well so it should make for a very challenging tournament, but one that we feel we will compete very well at."

The Blazers start the 2007 campaign in Nashville, Tenn., first with their meeting with Tennessee State and then at the Magic City/Music City Classic where UAB will play Belmont and Lipscomb on Aug. 25 in the Music City.

UAB's longest road trip of the year will be to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take part in the Pittsburgh Invitational with Buffalo, Pittsburgh and George Mason. The team's final regular season tournament will be at the Memphis Invitational, Sept. 14-15, where the Blazers will face Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Stetson.

UAB's first home match of the season will be against UTEP on Sept. 23. In all, the Blazers will play nine home matches this season.

The 2007 season will culminate at the Conference USA Tournament, hosted this year by Marshall. The Blazers won the C-USA Tournament last season to earn the program's first-ever berth to the NCAA Tournament.

The 27th annual 64-team NCAA Tournament will begin Nov. 29 at host sites.