FLORENCE, Ala. (April 16, 2026) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team earned two wins Thursday to begin Senior Day Weekend in Florence, storming to victories over Missouri State and Central Arkansas at the UNA Beach Volleyball Courts in Florence.

North Alabama (20-12) started strong with the two home wins, continuing its excellence in home matchups in Florence. The Lions had a statement win against Conference USA leader Missouri State before sweeping Atlantic Sun Conference foe Central Arkansas. The two wins sent the crowd home happy, ending with a Senior Day sendoff for Selma Robinson, Audrey Gauthier, Abby Robertson, Lucy Wedding, Hailey Benesz and Sarah Larkin Lewis.

All 12 competing Lions earned wins on the Senior Day special. Robinson and Gauthier went 2-0 for their 20th and 21st win of the season. Robinson also set a second program record in as many weekends, moving into first place for most career games played. She played in her 132nd career match in the game against Central Arkansas, moving ahead of former standout and current assistant coach, Mackenzie Martin.

Lewis and sophomore Paige Griner tallied their 18th win of the year in a victory over Central Arkansas. Sophomores Jennah Atchley and Brooke Bolden moved to 16-7 after their two wins on the day, and Wedding and sophomore Mabrey Whitehead won twice for their fourth and fifth win together.

Freshmen Emma White and Gaby Harnden were solid on the day, securing two wins each from the fifth and extras flight. Robertson and Benesz had a Senior Day to remember after picking up two wins to round out the winners.


Match 1 — North Alabama 4, Missouri State 1

The Lions came out the gates strong with the opening triumph over Missouri State. Wins on courts one, three, four and five started the weekend on a positive note as UNA rolled to victory over the Beach Bears.

Robertson and Benesz claimed the first win of the dual in extras with a 21-10, 21-12 victory over Morgan Bos and Shea Skouby. Wedding and Whitehead secured the first win in regulation after rallying against Maddie Schrandt and Manuela Niemeyer from court four, 17-21, 21-16, 15-11.

Missouri State took court two for its first team point, but White and Harnden answered in a 17-21, 21-13, 15-5 win over Logan Kaneshiro and Jaycee Fixsen from court five. Robinson and Gauthier clinched the dual from court one after defeating Rylie Cepicky and Allyson Larkin, 21-15, 21-19. Atchley and Bolden concluded the dual with a 25-23, 21-14 triumph from court three over Raylee Stenzel and Taylor Germann.

 
Court 1: Selma Robinson/Audrey Gauthier (UNA) def. Rylie Cepicky/Allyson Larkin (MSU), 21-15, 21-19
Court 2: MacKenzie Steele/Amanda Cleary (UNA) def. Sarah Larkin Lewis/Paige Griner (UNA), 27-29, 21-17, 15-10
Court 3: Jennah Atchley/Brooke Bolden (UNA) def. Raylee Stenzel/Taylor Germann (MSU), 25-23, 21-14
Court 4: Lucy Wedding/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA) def. Maddie Schrandt/Manuela Niemeyer (MSU), 17-21, 21-16, 15-11
Court 5: Emma White/Gaby Harnden (UNA) def. Logan Kaneshiro/Jaycee Fixsen (MSU), 17-21, 21-13, 15-5
Extra: Abby Robertson/Hailey Benesz (UNA) def. Morgan Bos/Shea Skouby (MSU), 21-10, 21-12

Order of Finish: (6,4,2,5,1,3)


Match 2 — North Alabama 5, Central Arkansas 0

After a short break, UNA rolled in its second matchup of the day by blanking Central Arkansas.

Starting with the extras court, White and Harnden nabbed a 21-17, 21-19 victory over Emmie Tidwell and Callie Mullins. Griner and Lewis secured the next win from court two after defeating Madelyn White and Chandler Lawrence, 21-19, 21-8.

Robertson and Benesz combined for a win from court four with a 21-17, 21-17 triumph over Ella Weilert and Allison Heck. Gauthier and Robinson clinched for a second-straight dual after a 21-16, 21-16 win from the top flight over Anna Linskey and Natalie Blum.

Atchley and Bolden added a fourth team win by downing Ella Layzell and Brooke Sharp from court three, 21-11, 21-19. The final match proved to be a thriller from court five, as Wedding and Whitehead prevailed in three sets over Liliana Irizary and Anna Jaworski, 21-16, 23-25, 15-12.


Court 1: Selma Robinson/Audrey Gauthier (UNA) def. Anna Linskey/Natalie Blum (UCA), 21-16, 21-16
Court 2: Sarah Larkin Lewis/Paige Griner (UNA) def. Madelyn White/Chandler Lawrence (UCA), 21-19, 21-8
Court 3: Jennah Atchley/Brooke Bolden (UNA) def. Ella Layzell/Brooke Sharp (UCA), 21-11, 21-19
Court 4: Abby Robertson/Hailey Benesz (UNA) def. Ella Weilert/Allison Heck (UCA), 21-17, 21-17
Court 5: Lucy Wedding/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA) def. Liliana Irizary/Anna Jaworski (UCA), 21-16, 23-25, 15-12
Extra: Emma White/Gaby Harnden (UNA) def. Emmie Tidwell/Callie Mullins (UCA), 21-79, 21-19

Order of Finish: (6,2,4,1,3,5)


COMING UP NEXT

UNA will conclude the regular season and Senior Day Weekend on Friday against Southeastern Louisiana at 9 a.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.