BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 5, 2025) – The North Alabama Beach Volleyball team stays in state for its next outing, traveling to UAB for March 7-8's The March To May Invitational in Birmingham.
The third season invite for UNA, North Alabama looks to continue momentum after taking home three wins from last week's Tiger Beach Challenge. The Lions hope to extend their winning ways with scheduled bouts against New Orleans, UT Martin and hosts UAB. North Alabama also faces its first opponent from the Atlantic Sun Conference in the EKU Colonels.
UNA opens against UT Martin on March 7, with first serve set for 9:30 a.m. Day one concludes against New Orleans, with the Lions facing the Privateers at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8 opens against EKU on 8 a.m. with UNA's weekend concluding against UAB at noon.
All four duals will have live stats available for viewing, courtesy of Statbroadcast. Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com at the end of each day.
DUAL 1 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. UT Martin
Date: Friday, March 7
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
DUAL 2 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. New Orleans
Date: Friday, March 7
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
DUAL 3 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. EKU
Date: Saturday, March 8
Time: 8 a.m.
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
DUAL 4 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama at UAB
Date: Saturday, March 8
Time: NOON
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Social Media: @UNA_BeachVB
NOTES
SCOUTING THE LIONS: North Alabama had a 3-1 weekend in its last outing at the Tiger Beach Challenge at LSU. The Lions had a rematch against No. 10 LSU, along with bouts against Louisiana-Monroe, Southeastern Louisiana and South Florida. UNA dropped its opening bout to the Tigers, but North Alabama won the final three duals to even its season record at 4-4. All five flights earned at least one win, led by fifth-flight pair Hailey Benesz and Kaitlyn Holbrook with four. Top-flight pair Katy Floyd and Selma Robinson finished with three wins, along with third-flight duo Paige Griner and Aurora Bibolotti. Junior Lucy Wedding and freshman Mabrey Whitehead took home two wins from day two, and senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Pien Grooters secured a win against South Florida. Robinson won her 50th career match with the victory against South Florida.
SCOUTING UT MARTIN: The Skyhawks enter the weekend's invite at 2-2, coming off their season opener at the Tiger Beach Challenge. They opened with two-straight wins from the invitational, defeating both South Florida and Southeastern Louisiana on day one. UT Martin also have the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Pair of the Week in Kayla Bryant and Olivia O'Keefe. Prior to the season, the Skyhawks were selected to finish second in Preseason OVC Poll. UT Martin is coached by Jaclynn Wilson.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE SKYHAWKS: North Alabama and UT Martin meet in the 10th all-time meeting, with UNA leading the series, 7-2. The Lions defeated the Skyhawks in their last meeting, taking a 4-1 bout on April 16, 2024.
SCOUTING NEW ORLEANS: The Privateers enter the weekend 2-6 on the season, with New Orleans coming off a weekend at the Cowgirl Beach Bash. Traveling to McNeese State, the Privateers went 2-2 with two wins against Nicholls and Sam Houston. New Orleans was picked to finish in a tie for eighth in 2025 Southland Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Privateers have four pairs with three wins on the season, including the top-flight pair of Nikelle Lander and Tristin Smith. The head coach for New Orleans is Ryan Havice.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE PRIVATEERS: The fourth all-time meeting, North Alabama leads the series over New Orleans, 2-1. The Lions has won the previous two meetings, with the last meeting resulting in a 3-2 UNA victory on Feb. 23, 2024.
SCOUTING EKU: The Colonels come into the invitational 3-1 on the season, opening the year at the Cincy Clash in Cincinnati, Ohio. EKU defeated former ASUN member Liberty, 5-0, in the opening matchup, following with wins against current ASUN foe Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech. EKU's Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage secured top-flight wins from the opening weekend against Liberty, Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech. The Colonels are led by Jeff Patton.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE COLONELS: North Alabama looks to continue its winning ways against EKU, leading the all-time series, 6-0. UNA won three meetings against the Colonels in 2024.
SCOUTING UAB: The hosts enter the invitational with a 4-3 record, coming off an appearance at the Wheeler Beach Bash in Columbia, S.C. The Blazers defeated the ASUN's Austin Peay in the outing but fell to South Carolina to cap the weekend. UAB has five pairs with five or more wins, with top-flight pairing Olivia Stant and Jasmine Haas leading with a 6-1 record. Haas, along with teammate Isabel Day, were selections to the 2025 Preseason All-Conference team by Conference USA. The Blazers head coach is Delaney Rose.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE BLAZERS: North Alabama trails UAB in the all-time series, with the Blazers leading, 5-1. UNA earned its first win over UAB on April 14, 2024.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
