HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 24, 2025) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team opened the 2025 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament on Thursday with a 4-1 victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
The postseason got off to a great start for the No. 4-seeded Lions, who rolled in the opening tournament matchup versus the Dolphins. North Alabama started quickly, taking the first three courts with senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Paige Griner taking the final court en route to the win. UNA earned its second victory of the season over Jacksonville, while also securing its fifth all-time win over the Dolphins in ASUN Tournament play.
The top two flights ended with victories on the day, with newly-crowned ASUN Pair of the Year Katy Floyd and Selma Robinson victorious along with second flight duo Gepford and Griner. Floyd and Robinson won for the 21st time this season, while Gepford and Griner won their second-straight and fifth overall.
Junior Lucy Wedding and ASUN All-Freshman Team selection Mabrey Whitehead earned a win from the fourth flight, with Second Team All-ASUN selection Kaitlyn Holbrook and Hailey Benesz rounding out the day with a victory from the fifth flight.
The win marked North Alabama's 17th win of the campaign, moving its overall record to 17-13.
North Alabama continues the ASUN Beach Volleyball Championships on Friday, April 25, taking on the top-seeded Stetson Hatters at 9 a.m. CT.
Holbrook and Benesz begun with the first win from court five, defeating Kelly Erhard and Morgan Perry in straight sets, 21-14, 21-15. Floyd and Robinson nabbed the second UNA win from the top flight, earning a 21-14, 23-21 win over the Dolphins' Emily Kubicsko and Claire Mrukowski. The third-straight Lions' win proved the clinching point, with UNA's Whitehead and Wedding rallying for a 21-18, 21-23, 17-15 triumph over Miller Rheames and Kate Taylor from court four.
Jacksonville claimed the third flight in a three-set battle, but Gepford and Griner provided the final victory from court two. The two took the first set against Hayden Garnett and Kristina Nika, 21-18, but the Dolphins' second flight won the second set in a 23-21 fight. The third set needed to be won by two points, but the competitive match ended in favor of the Lions with a 17-15 final frame triumph.
1. Katy Floyd/Selma Robinson (UNA) def. Emily Kubicsko/Claire Mrukowski (JAX), 21-14, 23-21
2. Ryenne Gepford/Paige Griner (UNA) def. Hayden Garnett/Kristina Nika (JAX), 21-18, 21-23, 17-15
3. Katie Martinez/Meredith Mrukowski (JAX) def. Aurora Bibolotti/Pien Grooters (UNA), 14-21, 21-12, 15-13
4. Lucy Wedding/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA) def. Miller Rheames/Kate Taylor (JAX), 21-18, 21-23, 17-15
5. Kaitlyn Holbrook/Hailey Benesz (UNA) def. Kelly Erhard/Morgan Perry (JAX), 21-14, 21-15
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