Categories: University of Alabama at Birmingham

UNA Beach Volleyball Triumphs at March To May Invitational

UNA Beach Volleyball Team demonstrates skill and teamwork at the March To May Invitational.

News Summary

The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team delivered a stellar performance at the March To May Invitational, securing their first win against an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent. With three victories overall, the Lions showcased their skills, including a dominating 5-0 win against Eastern Kentucky University. Star players played key roles in their success, maintaining perfect records over the weekend. As they head into their next event, the team looks to continue their winning streak and foster further growth in the upcoming matches.

UNA Beach Volleyball Shines at March To May Invitational

Located in the charming city of Birmingham, Alabama, the University of North Alabama beach volleyball team has just put on an impressive show at the March To May Invitational! This weekend turned out to be a real wow-factor moment for the Lions, as they not only achieved their first win against an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent, but they also concluded the invitational with a whopping three victories in total.

Weekend of Wins!

On March 8, 2025, the Lions swept Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) with a dominating score of 5-0, leaving no doubt about their skills on the sand. This victory didn’t just come out of the blue; it marked a fantastic weekend for the team, where they also managed to defeat the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), bringing their weekend tally to three consecutive wins.

While they had their share of excitement, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The Lions faced a narrowly contested match against UAB, which ended in a heart-wrenching 3-2 defeat. But hey, they’re not letting that last match dampen their spirits!

Star Players Shine Bright

Some standout performances lit up the field during the invitational. Senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman sensation Pien Grooters were on fire, completing the weekend without losing a single match, ending with a perfect record of 4-0. Sophomore Aurora Bibolotti and freshman Paige Griner also joined the winning train with another 4-0 finish, showcasing powerhouse teamwork.

To add to the celebration, senior Katy Floyd and junior Selma Robinson not only contributed to the team’s success but also pushed their seasonal tally higher with that triumphant win against EKU. Meanwhile, junior Lucy Wedding and freshman Mabrey Whitehead put in their effort, scoring a strong victory against EKU, ensuring that the team finished strong.

Don’t forget graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and junior Hailey Benesz! They wrapped up the party with a solid win over EKU on court five, helping the Lions bask in the glow of victory as they returned home.

The Numbers Behind the Wins

The match against EKU had some exciting moments worth noting. Floyd and Robinson kicked things off beautifully by taking down their opponents with scores of 21-14 and 21-13. Gepford and Grooters also displayed a magnificent performance, winning two sets against their EKU rivals, 21-16 but then dropping the second set 15-21 before rallying back to claim the final set with a close 15-8 finish.

Bibolotti and Griner cruised through their match with a solid 21-14, 21-13 win, while Wedding and Whitehead gained an exciting victory of 21-19 and 21-14. To round things out, Holbrook and Benesz battled hard against their EKU competition, sealing the deal with a nail-biting win of 22-20 and 21-17.

Looking Ahead

For the season, the Lions returned home with a record that proudly stands at 7-5, including a remarkable 3-1 finish from the invitational. As they continue their winning streak, the teams are gearing up to host their very first event of the season on March 14-15, where they’ll welcome teams like Missouri State, Tusculum, Austin Peay, and Chattanooga.

With the roar of the crowd and the thrill of competition in the air, the University of North Alabama beach volleyball team is poised to keep the momentum rolling. Keep an eye on this talented group as they aim for not just victory, but continued growth and achievement on the sand!