FLORENCE, Ala. (April 19, 2025) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team hosted Senior Day from the UNA Beach Volleyball Courts on Saturday, April 19, but fell to the visiting UAB Blazers with 4-1 final score from Florence.
The Lions' home meeting saw UNA face the instate foes for a second time this season to conclude the regular season. Facing the Blazers before the postseason, North Alabama competed in the finale from Florence but dropped the home meeting against UAB. UNA now will look on to Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament in Huntsville for the Lions' next outing.
Victorious on the day was senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Paige Griner who secured their fourth season win as a pair with the court-two victory. The duo won their matchup in straight sets, as Gepford capped her Senior Day with the home triumph.
UNA preps for the postseason tournament now 16-13 on the season while sporting a 7-4 record in the ASUN.
UAB 4, North Alabama 1
The final battle went in favor of the Blazers, with the lone victory going to court two from Gepford and Griner. The two won their match in straight sets, defeating UAB's Azmabeth Infante and Isabel Day, 21-18, 21-15.
Courts four and five were won in two sets by the Blazers, but courts one and three were three-set battles for both teams.
In the top flight, senior Katy Floyd and junior Selma Robinson needed a win-by-two scenario in the final set, but the pair dropped the bout to Olivia Stant and Jasmine Haas, 21-19, 19-21, 19-17. Sophomore Aurora Bibolotti and Pien Grooters also went to the third set against the Blazers Klea Sirois and Lauren Cairo, falling in the final frame with a 16-21, 21-15, 15-10 result.
The extra court was also a competitive affair with senior Marti McLaurin and junior Sarah Larkin Lewis facing Ali O'Donnell and Sadie Sharpe. After splitting the opening two sets, the Blazer duo took the final frame and the match with a 14-21, 21-18, 15-9 final score.
1. Olivia Stant/Jasmine Haas (UAB) def. Katy Floyd/Selma Robinson (UNA), 21-19, 19-21, 19-17
2. Ryenne Gepford/Paige Griner (UNA) def. Azmabeth Infante/Isabel Day (UAB), 21-18, 21-15
3. Klea Sirois/Lauren Cairo (UAB) def. Aurora Bibolotti/Pien Grooters (UNA), 16-21, 21-15, 15-10
4. Claudia Stockard/Olivia Chychrun (UAB) def. Lucy Wedding/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA), 21-16, 21-16
5. Addison Atkins/Sarah Smith (UAB) def. Hailey Benesz/Kaitlyn Holbrook (UNA), 21-15, 21-16
Extra: Ali O'Donnell/Sadie Sharpe (UAB) def. Marti McLaurin/Sarah Larkin Lewis (UNA), 14-21, 21-18, 15-9
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama opens the ASUN Beach Volleyball Championships on Thursday, April 24, with the No. 4-seed Lions taking on No. 5 Jacksonville in Huntsville, Ala. at 10:30 AM CT.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
