Aug. 12, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB volleyball team has been picked second by the Conference USA coaches in the league's preseason poll. The Blazers collected 126 points to finish behind preseason favorite Tulane.

UAB enters the 2008 campaign fresh off its second straight Conference USA Tournament championship match appearance. The Blazers posted a 24-10 record in 2007, including a 10-4 mark in conference play. This year's squad looks to build upon that success with 10 letterwinners and five starters returning.

Three of those players -- Ivana Bozic, Lilly Domingos and Nevena Stefanov -- were honored on the 2008 All-Conference Preseason Team.

"With the strong group of players we have returning, we are looking forward to getting the season started," UAB third-year coach Kerry Messersmith said. "Ivana, Lilly and Nevena are all very deserving of the honors they have received, and they will all be vital to our success this fall."

Bozic, a senior outside hitter from Serbia, led UAB in 2007 with 4.35 kills and 0.57 aces per game. She also recorded 3.80 digs and 0.39 blocks per game. Bozic's selection marks the third year in a row she has been named to the preseason team. As a sophomore on UAB's 2006 conference championship squad, she was named to the All-Conference USA First Team and earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors.

Domingos, a middle blocker from Brazil, also returns for her senior season. After transferring from Cowley (Kan.) College, she joined the Blazers in 2007 and posted a team-best .311 attack percentage. Domingos also led UAB with 1.08 blocks per game, while chipping in 2.23 assists and 1.43 digs per game last season.

Stefanov, a senior setter from Serbia, ranked second in the conference in 2007 with 12.74 assists per game. She finished second on the team with 0.45 aces per game and also added 2.04 digs per game. For her UAB career, Stefanov has compiled an average of 12.64 assists per game.

The Blazers' three selections were second only to Tulane, which had four players named to the team. Following Tulane and UAB, Tulsa (third), Rice (fourth) and Marshall (fifth) rounded out the top five in the preseason poll.

UAB opens the 2008 season Aug. 29 at the Florida Gators Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. The Blazers battle the host Gators on the opening day of the event before facing Western Michigan on Aug. 30. The team's home opener is set for Sept. 18 versus conference foe Memphis at Bartow Arena.