HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 23, 2025) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team opens the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament on Thursday, April 24, facing the No. 5-seeded Jacksonville Dolphins in Huntsville, Ala.
Postseason play begins for the Lions, who open the tournament as the No. 4 seed facing the Dolphins. North Alabama looks for a deep run into the tournament with a shot at the conference championship, hoping for a strong start with the matchup against Jacksonville.
The Lions and Dolphins face off in the first round, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday, April 25 to face either No. 1 Stetson or No. 8 Austin Peay. The semifinals additionally will be played on Friday before ending with the championship dual on Saturday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m.
First serve against Jacksonville is set for 10:30 a.m. The tournament will take place at the John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex. Live stats for the tournament will be provided courtesy of Volleyball Life, with all the matches available for viewing via live steam on ESPN+.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following each contest, and fans can also follow along on the UNA Beach Volleyball social media pages.
DUAL INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Jacksonville
Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Live Stats: Volleyball Life
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
NOTES
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama enters the weekend in Huntsville with a 16-13 overall record with a 7-4 ASUN record. The last UNA outing resulted in a 4-1 defeat to UAB, but senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Paige Griner secured the lone team point with a victory from the second flight. The victory marked the fourth for the pair this season in seven matches played together. The Lions are led on the season by top-flight pair Katy Floyd and Selma Robinson, who sport a 20-8 record. Five pairs have 10 or more wins, with graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and junior Hailey Benesz second with a 17-6 record. Sophomore Aurora Bibolotti and Griner hold a 12-7 season record, and junior Lucy Wedding and freshman Mabrey Whitehead are 10-7 on the season. Senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Pien Grooters are 10-9 on the year.
HONORS FOR THE LIONS: The 2025 ASUN Postseason Honors were announced by the league on Wednesday, April 23, with the Lions earning nine total awards. Selma Robinson and Ryenne Gepford were selected to the Academic All-ASUN team, while Robinson and Katy Floyd were named the Pair of the Year with First Team All-ASUN selections. Kaitlyn Holbrook nabbed a Second Team All-ASUN honor, while Paige Griner, Mabrey Whitehead and Pien Grooters rounded out the honors with All-Freshman Team nods.
MILESTONES GALORE: Three Lions earned career achievements this season, with Katy Floyd, Selma Robinson and Ryenne Gepford all adding to their extensive resumes. Both Gepford and Robinson won their 50th career matches this season, as Gepford achieved the feat against Southern Miss on Feb. 21 and Robinson against South Florida on March 1. Floyd won her 75th career match against EKU on March 8, eventually becoming the program's all-time wins leader with her 84th career victory against EKU on April 5.
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE: The Dolphins enter the postseason tournament at 11-21 with a 3-3 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Jacksonville looks to get back in the win column after their last outing resulted in defeats to Coastal Carolina, FGCU, South Carolina and Georgia State. The Dolphins received two postseason honors from the ASUN, with Claire Mrukowski and Emily Kubicsko earning Second Team All-ASUN selections.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE DOLPHINS: North Alabama leads the all-time series against Jacksonville, 7-0. The Lions swept the Dolphins earlier this season, 5-0, at the ASUN Midseason Invitational on March 29.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
