RICHMOND, Ky. (April 5, 2025) – The University of North Alabama beach volleyball team wrapped up the weekend at the ASUN North Invitational on Saturday, finishing undefeated in Richmond, Ky. with wins versus EKU and Austin Peay on day two.
Action from day two saw courts one, two, four and five secure wins. The highlight of the weekend came from the top flight, as senior Katy Floyd made program history by becoming the all-time wins leader with her and junior Selma Robinson's win against EKU. The victory marked her 84th of her career, moving ahead of former UNA standout Paula Klemperer's 83 wins.
Additionally, senior Ryenne Gepford and freshman Paige Griner added a second weekend win in their match against the Colonels. Graduate Kaitlyn Holbrook and junior Hailey Benesz finished the weekend undefeated with a win from court four, while junior Lucy Wedding and sophomore Abby Robertson rounded out day two with a fifth-flight triumph.
The Lions' concluded the invite adding two more wins against conference foes, securing their fifth and sixth victory against the Colonels and Governors. North Alabama's morning started with a 4-1 rout over hosts EKU before tallying the fourth win against Austin Peay. The contest versus the Govs was won via forfeit.
This marks the second unbeaten weekend of the season for UNA. North Alabama finished 2-0 at the Shoals Beach Bash on March 14 after weather forced the remaining matches to be canceled. The 4-0 weekend also extended UNA's winning run to five duals after taking a 5-0 victory against Jacksonville in last weekend's ASUN Midseason Invitational finale.
After finishing the invitational unbeaten, North Alabama's record now stands at 14-10 overall with a 6-4 ASUN record.
Match 1 — North Alabama 4, EKU 1
The Lions opened day two similar to their results from day one: taking a 4-1 victory against the host Colonels.
UNA's Holbrook and Benesz secured the first victory from court four, defeating EKU's Natalie Taggart and Reagan Sandlin, 21-16, 21-15. Gepford and Griner doubled the lead for North Alabama with a three-set triumph over Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage. The Colonels' pair took the second set in a 27-25 battle, but UNA's second flight answered back in the third set for a 21-17, 25-27, 15-10 win.
EKU earned the next court win from flight three, but the fifth flight of Wedding and Robertson won against Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni, 21-17, 11-21, 15-11. The final win came from flight no. one, with Floyd and Robinson defeating Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock.
1. Katy Floyd/Selma Robinson (UNA) def. Paityn Walker/Molly Shomock (EKU), 27-25, 21-15
2. Ryenne Gepford/Paige Griner (UNA) def. Rachel Mueller/Gabriella Armitage (EKU), 21-17, 25-27, 15-10
3. Madalyn Richardson/Riley Cutler (EKU) def. Aurora Bibolotti/Pien Grooters (UNA), 21-16, 21-19
4. Kaitlyn Holbrook/Hailey Benesz (UNA) def. Natalie Taggart/Reagan Sandlin (EKU), 21-16, 21-15
5. Lucy Wedding/Mabrey Whitehead (UNA) def. Bella Williams/Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU), 21-17, 11-21, 15-11
Order of Finish: (4,2,3,5,1)
COMING UP NEXT
The GSU Diggin' Duals Invitational is next for the Lions, traveling to Atlanta, Ga. for the two-day event from April 11-12. North Alabama is set for matchups against No. 18 Georgia State, Louisiana Monroe, and EKU.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
