Alabama Volleyball Opens 2022 Season Hosting Crimson Tide Invitational

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama volleyball opens its 2022 season and its first under head coach Rashinda Reed this weekend at Foster Auditorium, hosting the Crimson Tide Invitational Presented by Holiday Inn Express Tuscaloosa-University. The Tide will face McNeese (12:30 p.m. CT) and UTSA (7 p.m. CT) on Friday before closing the weekend against Southern Miss (3 p.m. CT) on Saturday.

All three matches will be streamed live on the SEC Network Plus, which is available at WatchESPN.com or on the ESPN app.

This Week: Crimson Tide Invitational

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Foster Auditorium
Friday, Aug. 26
- vs. McNeese – 12:30 p.m. CT
- vs. UTSA – 7 p.m. CT
Saturday, Aug. 27 vs. Southern Miss – 3 p.m. CT

Scouting Alabama

Alabama welcomes McNeese, UTSA and Southern Miss to Foster Auditorium for the Crimson Tide Invitational to open the season
It marks the first time since 2011 that the Tide will open its season with a home tournament
Head Coach Rashinda Reed enters her first season leading Alabama in 2022
All four head coaches at this weekend's tournament are in their first year at their respective programs
The Tide returns 14 players from last year's squad, including seniors Taylor Drapp, Emily Janek, Dru Kuck, Katie Shook and Alyiah Wells and fifth-year senior Abby Marjama
Newcomers this year include freshman Micah Gryniewicz, an AVCA All-Region honoree from Chandler, Ariz., and sophomore Maddy McCormick, who played at Colorado State last season

Head Coach Rashinda Reed

Alabama enters the 2022 season under first year head coach Rashinda Reed
Reed spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Illinois, making four NCAA Tournament trips with the Fighting Illini
The four postseason appearances include a pair of Sweet 16 berths in 2017 and 2021 and a semifinal run in 2018 as the No. 3 national seed
Working primarily with Illinois' middle blockers, Reed mentored two-time AVCA All-American Ali Bastianelli and two-time All-Big Ten honoree Ashlyn Fleming
Prior to her time at Illinois, Reed was an assistant coach at The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016, at Northeastern University in 2015 and Binghamton University from 2011-14
In 2012, the Bearcats won the American East Conference Championship to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament
She coached seven all-conference honorees at Binghamton, including the 2014 Rookie of the Year and 2012 Setter of the Year, while also serving as the club director of the Whirlwind Volleyball Club managing 14 coaches and 140 athletes
Reed's first coaching position came at the University of Southern Indiana, mentoring an All-American, two All-Midwest Region performers and two All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honorees from 2009-11 including a 2010 NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament appearance
Reed is a 2005 graduate of the University of Georgia, playing for the Bulldogs from 2002-04 after beginning her collegiate career at Southwestern Oregon Community College, garnering All-Northwest Athletic Conference accolades

Alabama to Appear Five Times on ESPN Family of Networks

Alabama is slated to appear five times against SEC opponents on the ESPN family of networks this season
Every home match and road SEC contest, whether televised or not, will also be streamed on the SEC Network Plus, available at WatchEPSN.com or on the ESPN app

2022 Televised Matches

Sunday, Sept. 25 vs. Auburn - 1 p.m. CT - SEC Network
Friday, Oct. 7 at Ole Miss - 7 p.m. CT - SEC Network
Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. LSU - 8 p.m. CT - ESPNU
Sunday, Oct. 23 at Georgia - 11 a.m. CT - SEC Network
Wednesday, Nov. 23 vs. Tennessee - 7 p.m. CT - SEC Network

Up Next: Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup (Houston, Texas)

Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Oregon State - 1 p.m. CT
Friday, Sept. 2 at Houston - 7:30 p.m. CT
Saturday Sept. 3 vs. Central Arkansas - 1:30 p.m. CT