CONWAY, AR - In day one of their annual home tournament known as the Beach Bear Classic, the University of Central Arkansas beach volleyball team continued their impressive start to the season, defeating Park University and the University of North Alabama, sweeping both duels in the process.
 
UCA saw some slight changes in the lineup today, but still managed a stellar performance over some tough competition. The Beach Bears saw some tightly contested sets throughout both duels and in through10 total pairing matches, needed three sets only once to earn a point (UCA won 20 of 21 sets played today).
 
Central Arkansas 5, Park University 0
 
UCA opened up the day in dominating fashion, defeating Park in five straight two-set wins to complete the sweep.
 

• Shannon Stone saw her first action of the season in the No. 5 pairing, partnering with senior veteran Kimmy Schnars. The newly-paired duo would post identical 21-14 frames to earn the two-set victory.
• The duo of Kelly Douglas and Makenna Schmitt moved up to the No. 4 pairing after being in the No. 5 last week. After a solid 21-15 win in set one, the duo would crank it up to another level, allowing only three points in the second set en route to the win.
• The No. 3 pairing of Faith Hasness and Evelyn Griffith would post identical 21-15, 21-3 frames in their two-set win.
• Kelsie Sager and Colene Hamilton continued the dominance in a 21-12, 21-4 two-set victory.
• Mackenzie Dear and Aly Brinkley have been phenomenal in their role as the No. 1 duo for the Beach Bears this season and continued their stellar play in a 21-11, 21-5 two-set win to complete the sweep.

 
Central Arkansas 5, University of North Alabama 0
 
For the second consecutive week, UCA faced a very good Lady Lion team and for the second consecutive week, walked away with a sweep. In the previous meeting, every pairing required three sets as UCA edged out the win in each. This week was a totally different story as the Beach Bears were dominant, winning 10 of 11 total sets en route to the sweep.
 

• After a solid 21-16 set one win, Shannon Stone and Kimmy Schnars showed great resilience in set two, earning a slight 22-20 win and earning the point for the Bears.
• Makenna Schmitt and Kelly Douglas were too dominant in set one with a convincing 21-11 win before a tightly contested 21-18 victory in set two to earn the point.
• Hasness and Griffith extended the streak of set wins to 16 straight following their 21-11, 21-19 two-set win.
• Hamilton and Sager would drop set one in the No. 2 pairing in a closely contested battle 19-21, but would bounce back and win the next two sets including a 21-14 set two victory and overcoming a two point deficit three times in the third set to earn the point.
• Dear and Brinkley remain perfect in the No. 1 pairing this season after a 21-12, 21-18 two-set win.

 
Coach Autumn Erickson Quotes
 
"Very proud of our composure and energy throughout the matches today. We battled against windy conditions and kept our mental game strong and consistent against our opponents. It's great to see us gain confidence as we move forward in the season, and I'm very happy that all our hard work is starting to shine through in our level of play."
 
The Beach Bears are back in action again tomorrow afternoon here in Conway on the Beach Bear Sand Courts for day 2 of the Beach Bear Classic. First match will feature Austin Peay State at 12:30 PM.