NEW ORLEANS, La. (February 22, 2024) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team serves up the 2024 season with a four-match slate in New Orleans for the Green Wave Invitational this weekend hosted by Tulane.
The Lions head to Louisiana to open the season, facing off against Southeastern Louisiana, New Orleans, Oregon and host Tulane.
North Alabama will look to start the season on a high note in the first competition of the new year following a strong fall season. UNA also looks to build on a solid 2023 that saw first-year head coach Kaleb VanDePerre lead the Lions to 20 wins in his debut season — the most in program history.
UNA Beach Volleyball officially begins the 2024 campaign on Friday, Feb. 23, facing Southeastern Louisiana at 11 a.m. and New Orleans at 4 p.m. The Lions conclude with matchups on Saturday, Feb. 24 against Oregon at 8:30 a.m. and Tulane at 1 p.m.
Live stats will be provided for all matches, with full results and a recap posted on RoarLions.com at the conclusion of the invitational. Also, the match against Tulane will be available for streaming on Tulane Athletics' YouTube page.
MATCH 1
North Alabama vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Friday, February 23, 2024
11 a.m.
Live Stats
MATCH 2
North Alabama vs. New Orleans
Friday, February 23, 2024
4 p.m.
Live Stats
MATCH 3
North Alabama vs. Oregon
Saturday, February 24, 2024
8:30 a.m.
Live Stats
MATCH 4
North Alabama at Tulane
Saturday, February 24, 2024
1:30 p.m.
Live Stats | Watch
NOTES
SPRING 2023 RECAP: The Lions had their highest win total in program history in 2023, finishing with 20 wins for a fourth-place showing in the ASUN standings. The Lions also had an appearance in the 2023 Atlantic Sun Conference Beach Volleyball Championships, where they finished with two wins at the tournament against Jacksonville and Austin Peay.
FALL 2023 RECAP: UNA comes into the season with added experience under its belt after taking part in the first fall season in program history in 2023. UNA played in two tournaments and one invitational, totaling 39 wins across four invitationals and tournaments. The Lions also earned two bids to the AVCA Collegiate Beach Championships, which saw Paula Klemperer, Taylor Seney, Mackenzie Martin and Selma Robinson compete in the first appearance in program history. The four advanced to the championship bracket out of pool play in a field that included numerous Power Five programs, with Klemperer/Seney finishing 23rd and Martin/Robinson finishing 29th.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama enters year two of the Kaleb VanDePerre era, as the Lions returned nine players from the starting 10 in 2023 with the addition of three transfers. The Lions are led by 2024 ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Paula Klemperer and unanimous first-team All-ASUN selection Taylor Seney, who both return to North Alabama after career years in 2023. North Alabama also returns three players who finished with 20+ wins in 2023, moving in the top ten in individual wins in program history — Mackenzie Martin, Katy Floyd and Selma Robinson.
SCOUTING THE SLU LIONS: Southeastern Louisiana enters the invitational following an 8-23 record in 2023, finishing 3-4 in the Southland Conference. Their top returner is sophomore Mia McKinney with 12 wins from 2023, 10 which came from Flight No. 1. The Lions are coached by Jeremy White.
SERIES HISTORY VS SLU: North Alabama and Southeastern Louisiana have met on the sand twice. North Alabama won both contests in 2023, winning 3-2 on March 4 and 5-0 on March 17.
SCOUTING THE PRIVATEERS: New Orleans comes into the 2024 season off a solid year, which saw the team finish with 21 wins, including six wins in the Southland Conference, and a semifinal appearance in conference tournament. They defeated Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls and Houston Christian before falling to Boise State to round out the season. Avery Thibodeaux is the head coach for New Orleans.
SERIES HISTORY VS UNO: North Alabama has a 1-1 record against the Privateers with the lone win coming in 2023 by a 4-1 final from the UNA Beach Volleyball Complex on April 8.
SCOUTING OREGON: Oregon will be the first opponent on day two for the Lions with the Ducks entering the season after a 10-24 year in 2023. This marks the first time the Lions will be facing Oregon in beach volleyball. The Ducks' top returners are pair Ashley Schroeder/Natasha George, who finished with 15 wins in 2023, including seven from Flight No. 3. The head coach for Oregon is Jason Dillard.
SCOUTING THE GREEN WAVE: UNA will conclude the invite against host Tulane, who enters the sand against UNA as one of the stronger teams in country. The Green Wave won 24 matches in 2023, setting a new program record. Playing in the Conference USA Beach Volleyball Championships, the Green Wave gained victories over Jacksonville State and UTEP before a season-ending defeat to top-seeded FIU. After the solid 2023, the Green Wave received 29 votes in the AVCA Collegiate Beach Preseason Poll, just missing out on the top 20. Tulane's head coach is Eyal Zimet, who leads the Green Wave in his fifth season.
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS THE GREEN WAVE: North Alabama will be looking for their first win against Tulane in program history, with the Lions 0-2 in matchups against the Green Wave. The last meeting resulted in a 4-1 defeat in 2023's Green Wave Invitational on Feb. 26. The first meeting between the two was played on Feb. 22, 2020.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
