WILMINGTON, N.C. (October 17, 2026) – Junior Paige Griner and sophomore Mabrey Whitehead completed their time at the AVCA East Bid Tournament in Wilmington N.C. on Saturday, Oct. 17 with three wins.  

Griner and Whitehead earned 10th place out of 16 pairs in the tournament hosted by the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Capt'n Bill's.  

Friday began two rounds of pool play and the first round of single elimination bracket play. The pair went 1-1 in pool play, with a 21-18, 23-21 win over a Moorehead State pair and a loss to a UNCW pair 13-21, 21-18, 10-15.  

After pool play, the Lions had their first round of bracket play, losing to a Chattanooga pair to conclude Friday's play. 

On Saturday, the two competed for ninth place, going 2-1 on the day to earn 10th place overall in the tournament. They defeated the same Moorehead State pair that they did on Friday, handling them well with a 21-14, 21-11 win. Their second win of the day came from a UNCW pair, defeating them 14-21, 21-14, 18-16. The two then lost to a Chattanooga pair to conclude their time at the AVCA East Bid Tournament and earn 10th place.  

The Lions continue their fall slate with another AVCA Qualifier next weekend, Oct. 24-25 in Huntsville, Ala. at John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex.  

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