JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The ULM beach volleyball team utilized three altered pairs to best Jacksonville State 4-1 Tuesday at the JSU beach court.
“Even though we came away with the victory, I think there are a lot of good lessons to take away from this match,” ULM head beach volleyball coach Patrick Hiltz said. “One being the importance of fundamentals and the other being the importance of positive energy. The teams that did well were able to execute from a fundamental standpoint and kept their energy high. The pairs that struggled a bit were due to a lack of focus on fundamentals.”
The first new Warhawks (6-8) pair of junior Rebecca Brown and freshman Catherine Griffith started off the day on a high note by outscoring JSU (0-8) 42-20 in the sweep. Sophomore Claire Crossfield and freshman Tara Jenkins did one better, bringing their record to 5-1 after limiting the Gamecocks to 13 total points in a 21-4, 21-9 dominating victory.
Juniors Delaney Driver and Jennifer McClendon, another first-time pair, claimed a point at the threes by a score of 21-16, 21-12 while juniors Kori Simpson and Hadley Swartz picked up their second win of the season at the twos 21-11, 21-15.
Junior Taylor Zaeske was joined by fellow junior Kaitlyn Shearer at the ones as the duo fell in three sets in their season debut. The two went a combined 12-2 last season, 2-0 at the fours and 10-2 at the fives.
ULM 4, JSU 1
1. Kirk/Ludtke (JSU) def. Shearer/Zaeske (ULM) 15-21, 26-24, 15-7
2. Simpson/Swartz (ULM) def. Hahn-Ventrell/Zuhlke (JSU) 21-11, 21-15
3. Driver/McClendon (ULM) def. Clingan/Romback (JSU) 21-16, 21-12
4. Crossfield/Jenkins (ULM) def. Eberle/O'Leary (JSU) 21-4, 21-9
5. Brown/Griffith (ULM) def. Gaskin/Moorer (JSU) 21-11, 21-9
“Overall, it was a great trip. We are looking forward to being home for a couple of days before heading out to UAB this weekend,” Hiltz said.
The Warhawks will continue play this weekend at the Blazer Beach Duals. ULM will face UNO and host UAB Saturday before taking on Lincoln Memorial and Jacksonville State Sunday.
For updates on the beach volleyball squad, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
