CONWAY, Ark. – The Warhawks hit the sand for the final time this season, splitting day two of UCA's Beach Bear Classic with Austin Peay and Central Arkansas. ULM defeated the Governors earlier in the morning in 4-1 fashion, before taking the Sugar Bears to the final set, eventually falling 3-2.
For the second day in a row, ULM dominated the courts against APSU with big wins on courts one, two, three, and five.
"I am much happier with our ability to compete today," said head beach volleyball coach
Russ Friedland. "We came in with a game plan at each pair and the girls were able to execute those efficiently."
All four Warhawk victories came in straight sets; graduate
Rebecca Brown and junior
Catherine Griffith defeated Jenna Pannig and Haley Turner of Austin Peay without allowing more than 11 points in a set (21-11, 21-6).
"Each pair did a better job at implementing adjustments quicker and were able to play complete sets, competing from start to finish. I'm happy with the teams' effort against the Governors," Friedland said.
When facing UCA once again, ULM made the appropriate changes and although they fell 3-2, the Warhawks had much better control of the courts when compared to play yesterday.
"I'm proud of how we fought today against Central Arkansas," Friedland said. "We carried a different mindset going into the match and it worked better for us compared to yesterday."
Griffith and Brown finished the day 2-0 after taking down Kimberly Schnars and Stephanie Pollnow from Central Arkansas (22-20, 15-21, 15-11).
The other pair who was able to claim a win against the Sugar Bears was composed of
Kayla Gallant and
Maile Sellers, who rallied back after a set one loss and defeated Jessica Martinez and Aly Brinkley (24-26, 21-19, 15-13).
In the number one spot,
Gabby Love and
Grace Convey bounced back after dropping the first set 21-11 to UCA's Magan Nash and Haley Tippett, with a 29-27 set two win. Love and Convey fought hard for a set three win, but the Sugar Bears would claim the point with a 15-11 decision.
ULM closes out its 2018 season 9-12.
Friedland signs off on his first season with the ULM beach volleyball program, "If we keep moving the needle in the right direction, this program is going to continue to impove and I'm excited to lead and be a part of that."
