CLARKESVILLE, Tenn. (March 23, 2024) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team concluded the Stacheville Beach Bash with a 3-2 win over Central Arkansas in Clarksville, Tenn. Saturday afternoon.

The Lions ended the weekend with their second win after opening day one with a 4-1 victory over EKU. UNA leaves the Stacheville Beach Bash extending its series lead over the Colonels while beating the Bears for just the third time in program history.

Five pairs won over the weekend, with junior Katy Floyd and sophomore Selma Robinson along with junior Jelena Girod and sophomore Sarah Larkin Lewis finishing undefeated at 3-0. Floyd and Robinson's win streak stands at 11 after the second-day victory, while Girod/Lewis extended their win streak to seven.

Graduate Mackenzie Martin and junior Ryenne Gepford won two matches from flights two and three. Graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and sophomore Grace Austin rounded out with one win against EKU. The lone extra match resulted in a win for UNA sophomores Abby Robertson and Christian Mitchell.

North Alabama improved its record to 14-5 and 4-2 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. EKU won their day-two dual against hosts Austin Peay to move the Colonels to 8-7. The Governors fell to 7-9 with the loss, while Central Arkansas is 4-15 after the weekend.



North Alabama 3, Central Arkansas 2 



North Alabama rebounded from a loss to Austin Peay yesterday with an ASUN win against the Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday.

The teams split the opening two matches before wins from the top two flights clinched the UNA win. Floyd/Robinson and Martin/Gepford occupied the top two spots, picking up their second season wins from the respective flights.

Girod/Lewis put the Lions on the board first with a fifth-flight, 21-13, 21-15 win over Madelyn White and Audrey Cathcart. The Bears responded with a win from the fourth flight, but North Alabama went on to win two of the final three matches to confirm the team win. 

Martin/Gepford took the first win from the top three flights, taking a 21-11, 21-9 victory over UCA's Anna Linskey/Naya Tan from flight two. Floyd/Robinson stayed hot from yesterday's matches, clinching UNA's win with a 22-20, 21-11 win over Katie Atkinson/Brooke Kuball from the top flight. The Bears took the final match in court three. 

UNA sophomores Abby Robertson and Christian Mitchell were the winners of the extra match, fighting back from the dropped opening set to defeat Madelyn Bass and Emmie Tidwell, 19-21, 21-17, 15-10. 


Court 1: Selma Robinson/Katy Floyd (UNA) def. Katie Atkinson/Brooke Kuball (UCA) 22-20, 21-11 
Court 2: Mackenzie Martin/Ryenne Gepford (UNA) def. Anna Linskey/Naya Tan (UCA) 21-11, 21-9 
Court 3: Payton Sproule/Anna Collums (UCA) def. Kaitlyn Holbrook/Grace Austin (UNA) 21-14, 18-21, 15-10 
Court 4: Ella Weilert/Liliana Irizary (UCA) def. Martha McLauren/Kati Anderson (UNA) 21-17, 22-20 
Court 5: Sarah Larkin Lewis/Jelena Girod (UNA) def. Madelyn White/Audrey Cathcart (UCA) 21-13, 21-15 
Extra: Abby Robertson/Christian Mitchell (UNA) def. Madalyn Bass/Emmie Tidwell (UCA) 19-21, 21-17, 15-10 


COMING UP NEXT 
North Alabama gets a week off before returning to action at the FSU Unconquered Invitational set for April 5-6 in Tallahassee, Fla. The Lions will use the time to prepare for five duals against hosts Florida State, FIU, North Florida, FAU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.