CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (March 21, 2024) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team heads to Clarksville, Tenn. this weekend for three Atlantic Sun Conference matches at the Stacheville Beach Bash from March 22-23.
The Lions travel to the campus of Austin Peay for a full weekend of ASUN matches. UNA faces the Governors for a second time this season, along with matchups against EKU and Central Arkansas.
North Alabama heads to their second-straight invitational hosted by an ASUN school after the Stetson Invitational in their last outing. The Lions won three of four duals over the weekend with first-time wins over Charleston and UNCW. UNA also extended its winning streak against Jacksonville with their fifth-straight victory over the Dolphins. The only loss came to nationally-ranked Stetson.
The invitational will open with the Lions facing EKU at 10 a.m. on Friday, with the second match against Austin Peay at 3:30 p.m. later that day. UNA concludes the weekend on Saturday versus Central Arkansas at 10 a.m.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following the action. Fans can also follow along on the UNA Beach Volleyball social media pages.
MATCH 1
North Alabama vs. EKU
Friday, March 22, 2024
9 a.m.
Twitter
MATCH 2
North Alabama at Austin Peay
Friday, March 22, 2024
3:30 p.m.
Twitter
MATCH 3
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Saturday, March 23, 2024
10 a.m.
Twitter
NOTES
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama visits Tennessee for the first of two visits this season. The Lions search for their second unbeaten weekend after winning all four at the North Alabama Invitational in Florence earlier this month. North Alabama averages a 3.7-point margin of victory in 12 wins this season while sweeping opponents in six of the duals.
ALMOST THERE: North Alabama received votes in the AVCA Collegiate Beach Coaches Poll for the first time as a program this season. The Lions received two votes in the March 5 edition of the poll, with the likes of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (9), Tulane (6), South Carolina (2) and Boise State (2) also receiving votes.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Top-flight pair Paula Klemperer and Taylor Seney continue to lead from the front, registering a 13-2 record through 15 appearances. The pair received the first two ASUN Pair of the Week honors of the season on Feb. 28 and March 6 – their second and third career honor.
TWO'S CREW: Junior Katy Floyd and sophomore Selma Robinson have held down the second flight, sporting a 14-1 record that currently leads the team in wins.
DYNAMIC DUO(S): Klemperer/Seney and Floyd/Robinson are both ranked in the top five of the American Volleyball Coaches Association/CollegeBeachVB.com pair rankings. As of Thursday, the Floyd/Robinson pair is the top-ranked second-flight pair in the country, while Klemperer/Seney are ranked as the fourth-best pair playing from the top flight. Floyd/Robinson moved to the top spot after the updated rankings were released on March 19, with Klemperer/Seney remaining in fourth.
POWER FIVE, BEWARE: The 2024 season has provided early program milestones after the Lions defeated their first two Power Five opponents. UNA's first Power Five win came at the Green Wave Invitational, defeating Oregon in a 5-0 sweep. The following weekend at the Tiger Beach Bash saw UNA sweep Nebraska for its second Power Five win.
SCOUTING EKU: EKU faces the Lions first, looking to avoid a three-dual losing streak. The Colonels are 7-7 and coming off an appearance at the Wheeler Beach Bash, leaving with a win against Tennessee Tech. EKU has played two ASUN teams this season, picking up its first conference win against Austin Peay. The head coach for the Colonels is Jeff Patton.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE COLONELS: North Alabama leads the all-time series against EKU, 3-0. The Lions beat the Colonels twice in 2023, both coming at the Bears Beach Bash in Macon, Ga.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: UNA faces Austin Peay for the second time this season after defeating the Govs 3-2 at the UNA Invitational. The Governors have dropped their last two contests since the UNA loss, losing to Chattanooga and UT Martin. Austin Peay is 6-7 on the season while 0-2 in conference matchups.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE GOVERNORS: This matchup marks the 15th meeting between the two programs with UNA leading 10-4. The last meeting came down to the top-flight court, with Klemperer/Seney using three sets to beat the Govs' Kelsey Mead and Aurora Bibolotti.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS: The Lions face the Bears in the final dual of the weekend. Central Arkansas enters the dual at 3-13 as they prepare for their first three ASUN Conference duals of the season. The Bears won in their last outing against Tusculum, defeating the Pioneers in a 3-2 win. UCA also has wins this season against Spring Hill College and McNeese State.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE BEARS: North Alabama and Central Arkansas are playing for the ninth time in the all-time series. The Lions won the last two meetings after dropping the first six bouts in the series. UNA resumes the series against the Bears after not meeting in 2023.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
