Illinois State will take on Sacramento State, Alabama-Birmingham and Alabama at the Academy Sports Bama Bash today and Saturday in Tuscalossa, Ala.

Sacramento State vs. ISU

Time: 10 a.m. today

UAB vs. ISU

Time: 4:30 p.m. today

Alabama vs. ISU

Time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Records

ISU 3-1, Sacramento State 3-2, Alabama-Birmingham 3-0, Alabama 2-1

Coaches

Sacramento State's Debby Colberg is 382-168 in 17 years. UAB's Kerry Messersmith is 30-10 in her second season. Alabama's Judy Green is 189-166 in her 11th season. Sharon Dingman is 129-87 in eight years at ISU.

ISU injuries

Starting outside hitter Katie Seyller sprained her left ankle during warm-ups prior to Tuesday's win at Northern Illinois. She will be out several weeks. Kristin Dziubla will start in her place.

What to watch for

- The Redbirds are on a three-match winning streak with help from M.C. Richmond (4.14 kills per game) and Peggy Riessen (3.93).

Sacramento State is coming off back-to-back five-game losses to Missouri State and Mississippi. Jennifer Ferguson, a 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter, leads the Hornets with 3.67 kills per game.

- Alabama-Birmingham was 15-37 in the two years prior to Messersmith's arrival, but she turned the program around in her first season as the school won its first Conference USA Tournament title and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

- Alabama, which is 1-4 all-time against the Redbirds, is led by setter Brigitte Slack, who is 50 assists shy of breaking the school career record of 1,546. Her primary hitter is Crystal Hudson, who averages 4.09 kills per game.

Points of interest

- Sacramento State is in the midst of an eight-match nine-day road trip. The Hornets' preseason was marred by a rash of injuries and illnesses, which have left them short on conditioning. They were picked to win their 11th straight Big Sky Conference crown. They return four starters from last year's 30-6 NCAA Tournament team.

- UAB was picked to finish third in the conference this year with help from preseason all-league outside hitters Ivana Bozic and Fernanda Domingos, natives of Serbia and Brazil, respectively. UAB faces Alabama at 12:30 p.m. today and Sacramento State at 11 a.m. Saturday.

- Alabama, which plays Sacramento State at 7 p.m. today, is coming off a loss to No. 22 Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide returns five starters from a 17-13 squad and was picked to finish second in the SEC behind Florida, which owns a win over ISU.

Talking the talk

- "Winning any of these matches is going to help us (earn an NCAA at-large bid). That's why we've had this weekend marked on our schedule for quite some time." - ISU coach Sharon Dingman.

- "I can guarantee our fans will see some of the best volleyball in the nation this weekend." - Alabama coach Judy Green.

Compiled by Randy Sharer