GULF SHORES, Ala. -- ULM sand volleyball's Marcela Araya and Zuzana Markova won their initial match in today's single-elimination AVCA National Collegiate Sand Volleyball Pairs Championship, but the Warhawk tandem would make their exit in the quarterfinal round.
Araya and Markova were both named AVCA Sand Volleyball All-Americans for their performance this season. The duo ended the season with a 27-10 record including postseason play.
Markova repeats the honor while Araya earns the accolade for the first time.
The day began with a 21-15, 21-19 over No. 8 Kelly Claes and Alexa Strange of USC, paving the way for a quarterfinal contest against the tournament's second-seeded Florida State pair of Aurora Davis and Jace Pardon.
"Once again, the Warhawks made waves in front of a national audience. The momentum we generated in pool play carried into this morning's win over a USC pair that went 31-5 this season. Marcella and Zuzanna are as deserving as any pair in the country of their AVCA All-American recognitions," head sand volleyball coach David Fischer said.
ULM's top pair's historic season ended with a 21-8, 21-15 setback against Florida State's Aurora Davis and Jace Pardon.
"Running into Pardon and Davis in the quarterfinals wasn't the best draw--they played exceptionally well and took us out of our sideout rhythm," Fischer said.
Markova finishes her career with ULM while Araya will join the rest of the Warhawks for the indoor campaign in the fall.
"Coaching Zuzanna and Marcela the past two seasons has been such a treat--they are strong in the classroom, competitive, funny and supportive of all their teammates. We look forward to Marcela's senior season next year and having Zuzanna join our staff as our graduate assistant," Fischer added.
USC's Kirby Burnham and Sara Hughes defeated the Seminoles' Davis and Pardon in the championship match.
For more information on the Warhawks throughout the off-season, follow @ULM_SandVB on Twitter.
