BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Despite jumping out to an early lead, the Mercer sand volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Alabama Birmingham on Sunday afternoon at the UAB Sand Volleyball Courts.

Mercer completed the regular season with a 1-6 record while UAB improved to 5-3 on the year.

Sunday's afternoon marked the second matchup between the teams this season, and for the second straight time Mercer's No. 1 pairing gave the Bears an early lead.  This time, Monica Sanchez and Jennifer Katona scored a pair of 21-19 victories to lift Mercer to a 1-0 advantage.

Both of the next two flights went three sets, but UAB was able to edge out 15-11 and 15-13 victories in both of the deciding frames to go on top, 2-1.

After sweeping the fourth flight and securing the overall match victory, Mercer's No. 5 pairing of Charlayna Braxton and Zoe Becton topped the Blazer's fifth-flight representatives, 21-18 and 23-21.

Mercer returns to action at the Atlantic Sun tournament, scheduled for April 20 at Jacksonville University.