ATLANTA (April 10, 2025) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team embarks on its final regular-season road invitational from April 11-12, set to partake in the GSU Diggin' Duals Invite at Georgia State.
With the postseason nearing for the Lions, North Alabama travels to the Peach State to conclude the away schedule. UNA readies for two bouts versus No. 18 Georgia State while also taking on Louisiana-Monroe and conference foe EKU. The Lions look to continue its winning ways against the Warhawks and Colonels this season, also taking on the Sandy Panthers for the first time in program history.
North Alabama faces Georgia State to open the weekend on Friday, April 11, at 9:45 a.m. The Lions close day one taking on EKU at 4 p.m. before opening the second day against Louisiana Monroe at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. The weekend in Atlanta concludes against Georgia State at 4 p.m.
Live stats will be provided for all four duals, courtesy of StatBroadcast. The matches will also be livestreamed on ESPN+.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following each day. Fans can also follow along on the UNA Beach Volleyball social media pages.
DUAL 1 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama at No. 18 Georgia State
Date: Friday, April 11
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
DUAL 2 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. EKU
Date: Friday, April 11
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
DUAL 3 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
DUAL 4 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama at No. 18 Georgia State
Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
NOTES
ALONE AT THE TOP: After an unbeaten weekend at the ASUN North Invitational, senior Katy Floyd made program history by becoming the all-time wins leader. The victory against EKU to begin day two marked her 84th of her career, moving ahead of former UNA standout Paula Klemperer's 83 wins.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama enters the weekend in the midst of a five-dual win streak, looking to continue rolling in Atlanta. The Lions are 14-10 overall with a 6-4 ASUN record, coming off a perfect 4-0 weekend at the ASUN North Invitational in Richmond, Ky. After the outing at EKU, the Lions have four pairs with 10+ wins, with Floyd and junior Selma Robinson leading from the top flight with an 18-5 record. Graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and junior Hailey Benesz sport a 15-3 season record, sophomore Aurora Bibolotti and freshman Paige Griner hold a 12-6 record and senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Pien Grooters are 10-9 on the season.
SCOUTING GEORGIA STATE: The Sandy Panthers are 12-13 on the season, also sporting a 6-0 conference record in the Sun Belt Conference. No. 18 Georgia State went 4-0 in its last outing at the conference midseason invitational, defeating Charleston, Southern Miss, UNC-Wilmington and Mercer in Foley, Ala. The Sandy Panthers have high expectations with the postseason nearing, being chosen as the conference favorite in the preseason coaches poll. Georgia State's head coach is Beth Van Fleet.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE SANDY PANTHERS: North Alabama and Georgia State meet for the first all-time meeting in both program's history.
SCOUTING EKU: The Colonels and Lions meet for the second-straight weekend and third overall this season. EKU currently holds an 11-10 record on the year, coming off two home wins versus Tusculum and Morehead State last time out on April 8. The Colonels have four of their last five duals, with their lone loss coming against North Alabama at the ASUN North Invitational on April 5. Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni have the team high in pair wins with 11, with Madalyn Richardson individually leading with 13 wins.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE COLONELS: North Alabama has an 8-0 series advantage over EKU all-time. The Lions look to make it three wins in a row this weekend, with UNA taking a 4-1 victory last time out.
SCOUTING LOUSIANA-MONROE: The Lions open day two in Atlanta versus the Warhawks, facing each other for the second time this season. Louisiana-Monroe is 12-12 on the season with a 2-3 record in the Sun Belt, coming off two wins versus New Orleans and Nicholls at the Pontchartrain Beach Bash. Louisiana-Monroe has won its previous five duals, defeating Southern Miss and McNeese twice prior to its last outing. Seven players have at least 11 wins on the year, led by Kaitlyn Beck, Madeline Marquez, Abby Ryno and Claire Williamson with 13.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE WARHAWKS: The fourth meeting between the two programs, North Alabama leads the series, 2-1. All three meetings have resulted in 3-2 scorelines, but the Lions won the last meeting earlier this season on Feb. 28. at the Tiger Beach Challenge.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
