LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Garnering a top-10 spot in the NCAA South Region Rankings this week, the University of West Alabama volleyball team (21-10, 9-5) heads to the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Pensacola, Fla., for Friday and Saturday competition.
 
As the No. 4 seed, head coach Tabitha Turner's team will take part in the opening match, facing Valdosta State in the first contest – a team UWA has defeated twice this season. If the Tigers get past VSU, the squad will face host-school West Florida Friday evening at 5 p.m.
 
UWA enters the tournament after a strong season in 2011. Reversing last year's win-loss record, the Tigers had the biggest turnaround in the GSC on their way to the fourth spot in the tourney. The Red and White are led by first-team all-conference selection Angela Sanders and second-team member Chanel Davis. Sanders totaled 354 kills on the year, while Davis leads the team with a .323 hitting percentage and 98 total blocks.
 
Valdosta enters Friday's match as the No. 5 seed with a 16-17 overall record this season. The Blazers are also 5-9 in conference, including a 3-1 and 3-0 loss in two matches against West Alabama.
 
This year's GSC Tournament Championship Match will take place on Saturday evening at 7 p.m., following two quarterfinal and semifinal matches on Friday.
 
Fans can follow UWA at the tournament on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UWAathletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/UWAVolleyball). Additionally, fans may also sign up to receive SMS text alerts at www.uwaathletics.com.