BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 20, 2026) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team secured its eighth win of the season Friday afternoon with a 5-0 victory against Austin Peay at the March to May Invite in Birmingham, Ala.
North Alabama (8-8) started the weekend strong in the win over the Governors enroute to the first win over a conference opponent this season. The Lions split day one of action at UAB, following the Austin Peay bout with a competitive defeat at the hands of No. 20 South Carolina.
Five flights picked up wins led by second-flight duo Sarah Larkin Lewis and Paige Griner. The two finished 2-0 and added their seventh and eighth wins of the season against Austin Peay and South Carolina.
Four additional flights all reigned victorious against the Governors. Graduate Audrey Gauthier and senior Selma Robinson picked up their 10th season win from the top flight, and sophomores Jennah Atchley and Brooke Bolden triumphed for their fifth win as a pair. Seniors Hailey Benesz and Lucy Wedding nabbed their second victory together this season, and senior Abby Robertson and sophomore Mabrey Whitehead combined for their first win on the campaign.
Match 1 — North Alabama 5, Austin Peay 0
The opening dual saw three courts go to a deciding third set, but the battle of ASUN foes went to the Lions in a 5-0 triumph over the Governors.
Griner and Lewis started strong for UNA in a 21-15, 21-10 victory from court two over Bailey Hope and Ashley Boswell. The first three-set battle came from court four, with Benesz and Wedding fending off Alyson Cooper and Emma Loiars for a 21-18, 19-21, 18-16 win. Robinson and Gauthier secured the dual win by rallying for a 18-21, 21-16, 15-9 triumph over Isabella Russell and Grace Austin from the top flight.
Atchley and Bolden tallied the fourth UNA win with a 21-14, 21-13 win over Jordyn Beneteau and Camryn Missig from flight three. Robertson and Whitehead stood strong from court five to end the dual, coming back to beat Emily Freel and Addi Hultquist, 19-21, 23-21, 19-17.
Court 1: Audrey Gauthier/Selma Robinson (UNA) def. Isabella Russell/Grace Austin (APSU), 18-21, 21-16, 15-9
Court 2: Paige Griner/Sarah Larkin Lewis (UNA) def. Bailey Hope/Ashley Boswell (APSU), 21-15, 21-10
Court 3: Jennah Atchley/Brooke Bolden (UNA) def. Jordyn Beneteau/Camryn Missig (APSU), 21-14, 21-13
Court 4: Hailey Benesz/Lucy Wedding (UNA) def. Alyson Cooper/Emma Loiars (APSU), 21-18, 19-21, 18-16
Court 5: Abby Robertson/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA) def. Emily Freel/Addi Hultquist (APSU), 19-21, 23-21, 19-17
Order of Finish: (2,4,1,3,5)
Match 2 — #20 South Carolina 4, North Alabama 1
The No. 20 Gamecocks took four of the five courts against UNA, with court two going in favor of the Lions. Griner and Lewis nabbed their second win of the day with a 21-18, 21-15 triumph over Evie Ziffer and Julia Waugh.
Robinson and Gauthier had a three-set battle from the top flight but fell to Brooke Balue and Rachel Hartmann, 19-21, 21-14, 15-13. South Carolina claimed straight set wins on the remaining three courts.
Court 1: Brooke Balue/Rachel Hartmann (USC) def. Audrey Gauthier/Selma Robinson (UNA), 19-21, 21-14, 15-13
Court 2: Paige Griner/Sarah Larkin Lewis (UNA) def. Evie Ziffer/Julia Waugh (USC), 21-18, 21-15
Court 3: Jolie Cranford/Peyton Yamagata (USC) def. Jennah Atchley/Brooke Bolden (UNA), 21-12, 21-16
Court 4: Annalyse Askew/Juju Quintero (USC) def. Lucy Wedding/Hailey Benesz (UNA), 21-18, 21-15
Court 5: Morgan Downs/Amelia Taft (USC) def. Abby Robertson/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA), 21-13, 21-17
Order of Finish: (4,2,5,3,1)
COMING UP NEXT
The March to May continues on day two against Austin Peay at 11 a.m. and UAB at 3 p.m. to conclude the weekend.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
