BIRMINGHAM (April 14, 2024) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team concluded the Blazer Beach Bash with a 4-1 win over UAB Sunday afternoon in Birmingham, defeating the Blazers to finish the weekend undefeated with three wins.
UNA entered the dual with day one wins over Southern Miss and Mercer and heads back home with its first all-time win over UAB. This also marks the second unbeaten weekend for the Lions after going 4-0 in the UNA Invitational back on March 8-9.
UNA leaves the Blazer Beach Bash with 11 total wins, with graduate
Paula Klemperer and senior Taylor going 3-0 along with junior
Katy Floyd and sophomore
Selma Robinson. Sophomore
Grace Austin and graduate
Kaitlyn Holbrook's win over UAB gave the pair two wins on the weekend, tied with graduate
Mackenzie Martin and
Ryenne Gepford. Freshman
Sarah Larkin Lewis and senior
Jelena Girod rounded out the wins with a victory over the Blazers.
North Alabama heads into the final week of the regular season at 18-9 overall and 4-3 in the ASUN. UAB ends the home invitational at 15-12.
UNA won early and often with wins from the top and bottom two flights to secure the perfect weekend from Birmingham.
Austin and Holbrook won their second match of the afternoon in the first victory for UNA. They secured a 21-18, 21-16 win over Olivia Stant and Lauren Cairo from flight four to win their sixth match of the season. Robinson and Floyd gave UNA a 2-0 lead with a hard-fought 24-22, 22-24, 15-9 win from flight two over Isabel Day and Jessica Ennis.
The Blazers took the next point from flight three, but the Lions' top and bottom flights secured the dual with victories from their respective courts.
Lewis and Girod picked up a massive win over Addison Atkins and Lauren Mohler, winning their first match of the weekend. The two defeated the Blazers' fifth flight, 21-14, 21-18, to clinch the dual and win their 13th match of the season.
Seney and Klemperer capped an undefeated weekend in the final match, defeating Arden Copping and Jasmine Haas, 21-17, 21-18, from the top flight.
- Klemperer/Seney (UNA) def. Copping/Haas (UAB) 21-17, 21-18
- Floyd/Robinson (UNA) def. Day/Ennis (UAB) 24-22, 22-24, 15-9
- Chychrun/Pertuit (UAB) def. Martin/Gepford (UNA) 21-13, 21-19
- Austin/Holbrook (UNA) def. Stant/Cairo (UAB) 21-18, 21-16
- Girod/Lewis (UNA) def. Atkins/Mohler (UAB) 21-14, 21-18
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama preps for a four-dual week, beginning with Senior Day at home on Tuesday, April 16. The Lions are set to face UAB and UT Martin with first serve scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
