BIRMINGHAM – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team opened play at the 2022 Blazer Beach Bash with a pair of losses on Friday. The Lions lost a 3-2 decision to Mercer before falling 5-0 to host UAB to fall to 12-12 on the season.
In the first match, the two teams split points at the bottom of the lineup. After the Bears grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a win at No. 5, Katy Floyd and Martha McLaurin rallied for a 15-21, 21-15, 15-11 win at the No. 4 spot.
Mercer took a 2-1 lead with a victory at No. 3 before the Lions pulled even again. Natalie Kordt and Jelena Girod tied the overall match at 2-2 with a 21-12, 21-17 victory at the top spot. Mercer, however, was then able to secure the clinching point with a three-set victory at the No. 2 position.
In the late match, UAB was able to win all five matches in straight sets to remain undefeated at the event. Two wins at the No. 5 and No. 4 spots set the Blazers up to clinch the match with a 21-9, 21-9 win at No. 3.
UNA will wrap up play at the event Saturday morning. The Lions will take on Louisiana-Monroe at 9 a.m. at the Blazer Beach Courts on the UAB campus in Birmingham.
