Nov. 21, 2002

CHICAGO - Junior outside hitter Martina Shields of the UAB volleyball team was named Second Team All-Conference USA by a vote of Conference USA's 14 head coaches, the league announced Thursday.

Shields has had a career season for the Blazers in 2002. She is currently averaging over 4.06 kills per game and against C-USA opponents, Shields is averaging 3.11 digs per game. She has posted 25 matches with double digits in kills, has led UAB in kills in 18 matches, has a team-leading 13 double-doubles and has led 11 matches in kills this season.

"I am so proud of Martina," said UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne. "She has worked very hard this whole year and has really developed into a fine all-around athlete. I am looking forward to watching her improve even more over the next year."

A native of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, Shields currently ranks ninth in the conference in kills (443) and 10th in kills per game. Against C-USA foes, Shields places seventh in the league in kills per game (4.44) and 10th in kills (200).

The ninth-seeded Blazers (13-19, 5-8 Conference USA) will face No. 8 seed Southern Mississippi (15-14, 6-7 C-USA) Friday at 6 p.m. in first round play of the 2002 Healthy Choice Conference USA Tournament held at the DePaul Athletic Center on the campus of DePaul University.

For live play-by-play statistics, photos and recaps of each tournament match go to C-USA's official website, www.c-usasports.com.