Alabama
South Alabama (EXH.)
Alabama Volleyball Opens 2019 Season Saturday with Exhibition Match against South Alabama
8/23/2019 4:30:00 PM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Fans can get an early look at first-year head coach Lindsey Devine's inaugural Alabama volleyball squad on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. CT in Foster Auditorium as the Crimson Tide hosts South Alabama in an exhibition match to open the 2019 season.
"The best part of this time of year," said Devine, "is that we've done our homework, we've done the dress rehersal and now it's an opportunity to play someone rather than ourselves. It will show us how far we've come and also what we need to work on."
Admission is free and will give fans a sneak peek at this year's team before they begin the regular season next weekend at the UB Invite in Buffalo, N.Y. After another weekend in Richmond, Va., at the VCU Invitational, the team returns closer to home for three matches in Birmingham, Ala., at the Blazer Invite starting Thursday, Sept. 12 against UAB. Alabama's next home date in Foster Auditorium is Tuesday, Sept. 17 against Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. CT.
"This weekend I don't want any of us to lose our focus," said junior Kaylee Thomas. "I want us to be able to put the things we've been working on in practice into a game and not revert back to our old ways."
Devine heads into her first season at the helm of the Crimson Tide after a successful 16-year run at East Tennessee State. She guided the Buccaneers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018, posting its highest win total in nearly 40 years last season. She earned Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2016 and 2018 and saw 28 players earn All-Conference honors during her tenure, including three Player of the Year, three Libero of the Year and two Freshman of the Year award-winners.
Alabama returns 11 players from last season while welcoming eight newcomers, including six freshmen and two graduate transfers.
For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaVball on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Volleyball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
