BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 19, 2026) – The North Alabama beach volleyball team preps for the fourth invitational of the season with the March to May Invite from March 20-21 in Birmingham, Ala.
UNA continues the campaign with a competitive slate on the campus of UAB. The Lions face the Blazers for the second time this season while also taking on Atlantic Sun Conference foe Austin Peay twice. Perhaps the biggest test comes against South Carolina, who ranks No. 20 in the country.
North Alabama is set for March 20 bouts against Austin Peay and South Carolina at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. March 21 is set for a second bout against Austin Peay at 11 a.m. before concluding against UAB at 3 p.m.
Live stats will be provided for all matches courtesy of UAB with full results and a recap posted on RoarLions.com at the conclusion of each day of the invitational.
DUAL 1
North Alabama vs. Austin Peay
Friday, March 20, 2026
1 p.m.
Live Stats |Twitter
DUAL 2
North Alabama vs. #20 South Carolina
Friday, March 20, 2026
3 p.m.
Live Stats | Twitter
DUAL 3
North Alabama vs. Austin Peay
Saturday, March 21, 2026
11 a.m.
Live Stats | Twitter
DUAL 4
North Alabama at UAB
Saturday, March 21, 2026
3 p.m.
Live Stats | Twitter
NOTES
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama owns a 7-7 record after an appearance at the Stetson Spring Invitational last time out from March 13-14. UNA ended the weekend with a 3-2 win over Southern Miss – the second victory over the Golden Eagles this season. Leading the way for the Lions was top-flight duo Selma Robinson and Audrey Gauthier with three wins. Senior Lucy Wedding and freshman Emma White finished with two weekend wins with graduate Sarah Larkin Lewis, senior Hailey Benesz, sophomore Paige Griner and sophomore Jennah Atchley taking a win.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: The Governors enter the weekend at 7-8 while winning three of their last four bouts. Austin Peay hosted the Stache Bash from March 13-14, defeating Wingate twice and Tusculum. Top-flight duo Isabella Russell and Grace Austin took three wins at the invite along with second-flight pair Bailey Hope and Ashley Boswell. Aubriegh Oswald, Addi Hultquist, Cami Missig and Emma Loiars also won two matches on the weekend. Michael Hobson is the head coach for the Govs.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE GOVERNORS: North Alabama leads the all-time series over Austin Peay, 12-5. The Lions have claimed eight of the last nine, with the last played match resulting in a 4-1 win on April 4, 2025.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA: The No. 20 Gamecocks are 10-2 on the season and winners of eight-straight duals. South Carolina is coming off a 4-0 weekend hosting the Carolina Challenge. They were victorious against Boise State, Charleston, Jacksonville and UNCW. Prior to the weekend, they won four previous bouts against Austin Peay, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Chattanooga and Coastal Carolina. The Gamecocks win matches at a 73.3 percent rate and have eight players with eight or more wins. Jolie Cranford and Peyton Yamagata lead the team with a 10-2 record, and Brooke and Rachel Hartmann sport an 8-4 record from the top flight. South Carolina is led by Head Coach Jose Loiola.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE GAMECOCKS: North Alabama and South Carolina prep for the second meeting in series history with the Gamecocks taking the lone matchup on March 4, 2023.
SCOUTING UAB: The Blazers currently sport a 9-8 record with their last outing seeing UAB split outings at the Stetson Invitational. The Blazers claimed a win over Southern Miss with the highlight coming in a victory over FGCU. Jasmine Haas and Olivia Stant lead from the top flight with a 12-5 record. Ava Grace Knott and Olivia Chychrun has the team-high 13 wins on the season. Delaney Rose leads the Blazers.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE BLAZERS: UAB leads the series, 7-2, but North Alabama looks to win its second straight over the Blazers. UNA took a 3-2 victory over UAB earlier this season at the FSU Unconquered Invitational on Feb. 21.
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