University of North Alabama’s beach volleyball program took home three out of four wins at the Tiger Beach Challenge on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 hosted by Louisiana State University. UNA now sits at an overall 4-4.
UNA opened the invite against ranked No. 10 LSU. The Tigers outdid UNA 4-1, with Lion duo Kaitlyn Holbrook and Hailey Benesz taking the only win in two sets, 23-21, 21-17.
Senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Pien Grooters fell short to LSU on their first set, 21-23, but quickly responded with a 14-21 on the second. The third and final was decided on a 15-9 for LSU.
The Lions began their winning streak against the University of Louisiana-Monroe, resulting in a 3-2. Katy Floyd and Selma Robinson quickly outdid ULM in a 21-9, 21-16. Paige Griner and Aurora Bibolotti finished the third pair in 21-16, 21-12. Benesz and Holbrook kept their own winning streak with a 21-10, 21-16. UNA’s other two pairs fell short of a win, battling three sets against ULM.
The second day was purely victorious for the Lions. UNA started Saturday strong with a 4-1 against Southeastern Louisiana University.
Floyd and Robinson opened the scoreboard with a two-set win of 21-13, 21-15. Ryenne Gepford and Pien Grooters fell after a three-set fight, evening the teams at 1-1. Bibolotti and Griner increased the difference after defeating SLU on a two-set with a high advantage, 21-10, 21-8. Lucy Wedding and Mabrey Whitehead added the third win with a 26-28, 21-19, 15-6. Besesz and Holbrook added their own third win with 21-13, 21-13.
The Lions were not done yet. The last opponent, the University of South Florida, experienced the roar first-hand and went home empty-handed from Lion defeat. UNA scored a 5-0 against the Bulls with three straight-set wins and two three-set ones.
Beach Volleyball proceeds to the Blazer Beach Bash invite in Birmingham, hosted by the University of Alabama in Birmingham on Mar. 7 and 8.
