BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (October 26, 2024) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team opened its 2024 fall season at the UAB Fall Pairs Tournament on Saturday, debuting with six wins as a team from Birmingham, Ala.
The Lions faced their first action of the campaign against UAB and UT Martin, with each pair playing in two matches across five pools of play. UNA sent eight pairs into the tournament, picking up six wins across the day – all coming against UAB.
Starting from pool 1, senior Ryenne Gepford and junior Selma Robinson got the day started with a 21-12, 21-13 win over UAB in the third flight. Graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and freshman Pien Grooters won the fourth pairing in a close 21-19, 21-16 battle, and freshman Paige Griner and freshman Izzy Coplan triumphed in the sixth flight, 21-18, 21-18.
The freshman/sophomore pair of Mabrey Whitehead and Aurora Bibolotti earned a second fourth-flight UNA win with a dominant third set— 21-15, 17-21, 15-2. Juniors Sarah Larkin Lewis and Hailey Benesz earned a 24-22, 22-20 win over UAB's second pair. junior Lucy Wedding and freshman Bella Heyne gained the final win — 21-18, 10-21, 15-9.
UNA sets its sight next on the AVCA Pairs Qualifier Tournament from Nov. 2-3 in Huntsville, Ala., looking to cement a spot in the Pairs National Championship in mid-November.
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