The UAB Blazers beach volleyball team represents the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in NCAA Division I beach volleyball. The program, which began competition in 2012, is a member of the Conference USA as an affiliate member and plays its home matches at the UAB Beach Volleyball Courts in Birmingham, Alabama. The team is coached by Dylynn Miller.
UAB hosted the first-ever sanctioned NCAA collegiate beach volleyball match (then called sand volleyball) on March 3, 2012. In that historic home opener in Birmingham, the Blazers were defeated by the Florida State Seminoles 5-0.
History The program was established in 2012 under head coach Hal Messersmith. In its inaugural season, the duo of Kirsten Gallagher and Heather Thomas became the first UAB pair to compete at the AVCA National Championships. The following year, Kiriana Hirini and Bethanie Thomas became the first Blazer tandem to win a match at the national tournament.
The Blazers have moved through several conference affiliations, including the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) and Conference USA (C-USA). Significant milestones include a 2018 victory over No. 8 South Carolina and reaching the semifinals of the 2023 C-USA Championship after defeating No. 12 FIU. In August 2023 UAB hired Delaney Rose to be the team's head coach.
In 2026, UAB achieved the most successful season in program history, finishing with a record 26 wins and a 16-match winning streak. The Blazers reached the semifinals of the Conference USA Championships, led by the top-court duo of Jasmine Haas and Olivia Stant, who set a single-season program record with 29 victories as a pair. Following the 2026 season Delaney Rose left UAB to become the head coach at the University of North Florida. UAB promoted Dylynn Miller to Head Coach on June 3rd, 2026. Miller played for UAB from 2020 to 2022, and served as team captain in 2021 and 2022.
UAB has played a significant role in hosting the NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship in Gulf Shores, Alabama, assisting with the event annually since 2016. The university served as the host institution for the 2025 championship and will continue in that role from 2027 through 2031.
Conference affiliation Independent - Division I-A (2012–2015) Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (2016–2021) Conference USA (2022–present)
Head coaches Coach Years Record Pct. Hal Messersmith 2012–2013 16–12 .571 Bailey Coleman 2014–2016 25–35 .417 Ashley Hardee 2017 12–19 .387 Kyra Iannone 2018–2020 27–36 .428 Terri Del Conte 2021–2023 47–49 .490 Delaney Rose 2024–2026 66–38 .635 Total 15 seasons 193–189 .505 Records as of the conclusion of the 2026 regular season. 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19.
Year by year results YearCoachOverallConf.Conf. RecordPostseason2012Hal Messersmith6–4Independent—AVCA Nationals2013Hal Messersmith10–8Independent—AVCA Nationals2014Bailey Coleman5–9Independent—AVCA Nationals2015Bailey Coleman7–8Independent—2016Bailey Coleman13–18CCSA2–82017Ashley Hardee12–19CCSA0–62018Kyra Iannone8–15CCSA1–62019Kyra Iannone14–17CCSA3–92020Kyra Iannone5–4CCSA2—3Season canceled due to COVID-192021Terri Del Conte12–15CCSA5–92022Terri Del Conte17–18C-USA3–42023Terri Del Conte18–16C-USA2–12024Delaney Rose19–15C-USA2–32025Delaney Rose21–12C-USA3–22026Delaney Rose26–11C-USA5–0Total193–189 Records as of the conclusion of the 2026 regular season.
Facilities UAB plays its home matches at the UAB Beach Volleyball Courts on campus in Birmingham. The courts hosted the beach volleyball tournament for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games.
References