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ULM Beach Volleyball Opens Warhawk Challenge with Split

ULM Beach Volleyball Opens Warhawk Challenge with Split

Beach Volleyball Apr 05
MONROE, La. – The ULM beach volleyball team earned a split on the opening day of the Warhawk Challenge, posting a 4-1 victory over Central Arkansas before falling to Houston Baptist, 4-1, Saturday, April 5.
 
Match 1 Recap: ULM 4, Central Arkansas 1
ULM put together a dominating performance against Central Arkansas in the opening match of the tournament, coming through with a 4-1 victory.
 
The Warhawks began the clash with a 21-16, 21-16 victory by the duo of Audrey Brooks and Bailey Smith, who downed UCA's Kelsie Sager and Kayla Cook, on court five. The lead quickly moved to 2-0 when the No. 4 pair of Allie Kemp and Elizabeth Moreland posted a 12-21, 21-15, 15-12 win against Kellen Dunn and Faith Hasness. At the No. 3 flight, Gabby Love and Kayla Gallant stretched the ULM advantage to 3-0 by virtue of a 21-15, 21-23, 15-10 win over Jessica Martinez and Elleson Dunagin.
 
The Bears recorded their lone win in the match on court two as Mackenzie Dear and Aly Brinkley downed Catherine Griffith and Maile Sellers in two sets, 21-19, 21-17.
 
ULM capped off the match with a win by the No. 1 tandem of Tamara Merseli and Grace Convey, who prevailed 22-20, 21-18 over Hailey Tippett and Colene Hamilton.
 
"All of our pairs dominated this match," ULM head coach Sara Rishell said. "I was very proud of the fight that was shown all across the board. Our fours responded very well after a loss in the first set, and I'm very proud of them for that. All across the board we saw improvement.

"What we worked on in practice this week was implemented in the matches," Rishell added. "Grace and Tamara were on fire at the ones. They were very technical and controlled the match from the start. Because our threes, fours and fives controlled the match, we were able to secure a team win before our ones and twos even started playing."
 
ULM 4, UCA 1
Court 1: Tamara Merseli/Grace Convey (ULM) def. Hailey Tippett/Colene Hamilton (UCA), 22-20, 21-18
Court 2: Mackenzie Dear/Aly Brinkley (UCA) def. Catherine Griffith/Maile Sellers (ULM), 21-19, 21-17
Court 3: Gabby Love/Kayla Gallant (ULM) def. Jessica Martinez/Elleson Dunagin (UCA), 21-15, 21-23, 15-10
Court 4: Allie Kemp/Elizabeth Moreland (ULM) def. Kellen Dunn/Faith Hasness (UCA), 12-21, 21-15, 15-12
Court 5: Audrey Brooks/Bailey Smith (ULM) def. Kelsie Sager/Kayla Cook (UCA), 21-16, 21-16
Exh: Kelly Douglas/Hailey Weber (UCA) def. Katie McKay/Holland Ponthieux (ULM), 19-21, 21-18, 15-11
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
 
Match 2 Recap: Houston Baptist 4, ULM 1
The Warhawks made a quick return to the court for the second match, suffering a 4-1 setback to Houston Baptist.
 
The Huskies grabbed the early 1-0 lead at the No. 4 flight where Maddie Butters and Conley Harris fought past Allie Kemp and Elizabeth Moreland in three sets, 21-19, 14-21, 15-8. HBU gained its second point of the match as the No. 5 duo of Danielle Wheeler and Meagan Carter downed Audrey Brooks and Bailey Smith, 21-18, 21-12. The No. 2 pairing of Bailey Banks and Natalie Bennett followed with a hard-fought, three-set victory over ULM's Catherine Griffith and Maile Sellers, 17-21, 21-15, 15-10, to secure the team win.
                                                                                                
The Warhawks got on the scoreboard with a straight-sets win at the No. 3 flight as Gabby Love and Kayla Gallant outlasted Kylie Bryan and Lindsay Harris, 21-19, 21-17.
 
HBU closed out the match with a win from the No. 1 tandem of Tori Hinojosa and Aeriel Horton, who downed Tamara Merseli and Grace Convey by scores of 21-17, 21-13.
 
"Gabby and Kayla were absolutely phenomenal in this match," Rishell said. "They fought for every point, and executed the game plan that was established. Unfortunately, the rest of the team could not follow suit. Our serve receive was shaky, and we did not follow the game plan effectively. Two of the matches went to three sets, but our fight wasn't there.
 
"Tomorrow is a new day, and we have a lot of good and bad experiences to take away from today. The sun will rise tomorrow and so will we."
 
HBU 4, ULM 1
Court 1: Tori Hinojosa/Aeriel Horton (HBU) def. Tamara Merseli/Grace Convey (ULM), 21-17, 21-13
Court 2: Bailey Banks/Natalie Bennett (HBU) def. Catherine Griffith/Maile Sellers (ULM), 17-21, 21-15, 15-10
Court 3: Gabby Love/Kayla Gallant (ULM) def. Kylie Bryan/Lindsay Harris (HBU), 21-19, 21-17
Court 4: Maddie Butters/Conley Harris (HBU) def. Allie Kemp/Elizabeth Moreland (ULM), 21-19, 14-21, 15-8
Court 5: Danielle Wheeler/Meagan Carter (HBU) def. Audrey Brooks/Bailey Smith (ULM), 21-18, 21-12
Exh: Brennan Miller/Lauren Huggins (HBU) def. Emma Vann/Katie McKay (ULM), 21-10, 21-13
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 2, 3, 1
 
 
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