CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 8, 2023) – North Alabama Beach Volleyball competed in the UTC Pairs Tournament over the weekend in Tennessee for their first fall tournament in program history.

UNA left Chattanooga with 14 wins on the day, with each competing pair winning a match in contests against UTC and NCAA Division II opponent Tusculum.

"I was really proud with the girls' energy and confidence right from the start," said UNA Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb VanDePerre. "We've talked a lot about believing in ourselves, and I thought most of the team demonstrated that really well."

Graduate student Mackenzie Martin and sophomore Selma Robinson left with the weekend with a 3-0 record in competition, the most by any pairing for UNA. Five pairings won two matches, while former four-year UNA volleyball setter turned graduate beach player Breylee Linder and freshman Hope Dicken secured a win in their first beach volleyball action. Transfers Ryenne Gepford, Grace Austin, Christian Mitchell, Kaitlyn Holbrook and Martha McLaurin all made immediate impacts by securing two wins in their UNA debuts.

"It was pretty windy, which was a good challenge for us to adjust to since it's been pretty calm this fall," said VanDePerre. "I thought Selma Robinson and Mackenzie Martin played really solid all day and was really impressed with all of our transfers. They did some really great things throughout the day. A lot of for us to build on but also showed a lot of progress, and the things that we've been working on up to this point of the season."

North Alabama Beach Volleyball returns to action for the Huntsville Pairs Tournament in Huntsville, Ala. on Oct. 28-29.

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