FLORENCE, Ala. (March 13, 2025) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team preps for its first home invitational of the season, hosting the Shoals Beach Bash from March 14-15 in Florence.

North Alabama welcomes three teams to the UNA Beach Volleyball Courts this weekend, with the Lions set for matchups against Chattanooga, Missouri State, Tusculum and Atlantic Sun Conference member Austin Peay. The two-day invitational serves as the first of two home outings for UNA.

The Lions' weekend in Florence sees UNA picking up momentum with the season in full swing. North Alabama has won six of its previous eight duals, taking three wins in the past two invitationals.

North Alabama opens the weekend with three duals on Friday, March 14. The Lions face Chattanooga at 9:30 a.m., with the second dual against Missouri State at 3 p.m. and third dual against Austin Peay scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15 concludes the weekend as UNA faces Tusculum at 7:30 a.m.

Live stream coverage will be available for Friday afternoon's matches against Missouri State and Austin Peay 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 vs. Chattanooga
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB


DUAL 2 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Missouri State
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB


DUAL 3 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Austin Peay
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB


DUAL 4 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Tusculum
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB


NOTES

SCOUTING THE LIONS: The last outing was a strong showing for North Alabama, who finished with a 3-1 weekend in its last outing at the March To May at UAB. The Lions won their opening three matches in 5-0 sweeps, claiming wins against UT Martin, New Orleans and ASUN foe EKU.  Senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Pien Grooters won all four matches from the second flight, while sophomore Aurora Bibolotti and freshman Paige Griner went 4-0 from the third flight. Top-flight pair Katy Floyd and Selma Robinson finished with three wins, which saw Floyd secure her 75th career win in the process. Fourth-flight pair Lucy Wedding and Mabrey Whitehead also claimed three wins, along with the fifth flight's Hailey Benesz and Kaitlyn Holbrook.

SCOUTING CHATTANOOGA: The Mocs enter with a 7-2 record on the weekend, looking to continue rolling in action from Florence. Chattanooga took on the TU Tri-Match Invite last time out, taking two wins against hosts Tusculum and Lynchburg. The Mocs extended its winning ways in the outing, with UTC now winners of its last five duals. Prior to the season, Chattanooga was voted the favorite to win the Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball title in the conference's preseason poll. Julia Lawrence was named on the OVC's Preseason Player to Watch list, with Lawrence 7-2 on the season currently with partner Joy Cartwright. The Mocs are led by Darin Van Horn.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE MOCS: North Alabama and Chattanooga prepare for their eighth all-time series meeting this weekend. The Lions lead the series, 4-3, but the Mocs defeated UNA, 3-2, last time out on April 17, 2024.

SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE: The Bears look to remain unbeaten heading into Florence, sporting an 8-0 record on the season. In their last weekend outing, Missouri State went 4-0 at the Bear Beach Bash with wins against Southwest Baptist, Lindenwood, Hendrix College and the ASUN's Central Arkansas. All eight wins this season for the Bears have been 5-0 sweeps. Nine individual players have an 8-0 record, led by Becca Bach and Allyson Larkin from the top flight. Missouri State's head coach is Ashley Emery.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE BEARS: The second all-time meeting, North Alabama leads the series, 1-0. The lone matchup came on Feb. 26, 2022, with the Lions claiming a 4-1 win.

SCOUTING TUSCULUM: The Pioneers enters the weekend with a 4-4 season record. Tusculum competes at the NCAA Division II level, playing in the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas. In the inaugural SAC Preseason Poll, Tusculum was voted to finish second with the Pioneers receiving two first-place votes. Mia Johnson and Hannah Marsh, along with Brynn Smith and Kyla Oppenhuis, were voted pairs to watch by conference's head coaches. Ryann Gallagher and Morgan Willis lead the Pioneers with a 5-3 season record. Tusculum's head coach is Emily Kalmink.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE PIONEERS: UNA looks to capture its second win against the Pioneers, with the Lions leading the all-time series, 1-0. The first meeting came on March 4, 2023, with North Alabama defeating Tusculum, 4-1.

SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: The Governors head into Florence with a 2-8 season record. Austin Peay hosted the Governors Classic in its last outing, claiming a 3-2 win against Lindenwood on the weekend. The Govs' opening win on the season came against Liberty on Feb. 21. Austin Peay's top-flight pair Jordan Morris and Grace Austin lead the Govs with a 5-5 season record. Austin Peay is led by Head Coach Michael Hobson.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE GOVERNORS: North Alabama leads the all-time series against Austin Peay, 10-5. UNA has a 4-0 record at home against the Governors, with the teams splitting two contests in 2024. The Governors took a 3-2 win in the last meeting on March 22, 2024.