FLORENCE, Ala. (November 12, 2024) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team took home nine wins against UT Martin as part of its Purple/White/Gold weekend from Nov. 9-10 at the UNA Beach Volleyball Courts.
The home event marked the lone Fall outing for the Lions, with the two-day event welcoming program alumni back to the courts along with matchups against the Skyhawks. The weekend opened with alumni and current players playing in friendly competition on Saturday before the two-dual matchup on Sunday.
UNA finished with nine wins in the matchups, sweeping the Skyhawks in dual one before adding four more in the second dual. Thirteen players secured a win each, with five players going a perfect 2-2 on the day's action.
Graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook, sophomore Aurora Bibolotti and juniors Grace Austin, Lucy Wedding and Sarah Larkin Lewis all won both their respective matches against the Skyhawks.
Holbrook and Wedding secured a 2-1 win in the first UT Martin contest, with Holbrook following with a second 2-1 win with Austin in the second matchup. Bibolotti started with a 2-0 win with freshman Paige Griner before securing a second 2-0 victory with Pien Grooters. Prior to her win with Holbrook, Austin won 2-0 with her partner Mabrey Whitehead in the first Skyhawk dual.
Lewis secured a 2-1 win with partner Marti McLaurin to start, following with a second 2-1 win with freshman Izzy Coplan. After opening with the win with Holbrook, Wedding nabbed her second in a 2-0 win with freshman Bella Heyne.
The Lions received an additional win from sophomore Hope Dicken and junior Hailey Benesz, who rounded out the wins with a 2-1 result from Skyhawk Dual 1.
With the weekend of competitive fun complete, the Lions turn their attention the AVCA Pairs National Championship in Huntsville, Ala. from Friday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Nov. 17. Senior Ryenne Gepford and junior Selma Robinson will represent the Lions at the two-day tournament, with information on the weekend to come in the following days.
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