FORT WORTH – The Central Arkansas beach volleyball team opened day one of the Horned Frog Challenge with matches against Southern Miss and No. 11 TCU. The Beach Bears finished the day 0-2 and fell to 5-2 on the season.

Southern Miss 3, Central Arkansas 2
The tandem of Aly Brinkley and Colene Hamilton lost two hard-fought sets to Kylie Grandy and Abbey Wilson in the No. 1 position, 22-20 and 21-17. In the No. 2 position, Evelyn Griffith and Faith Hasness picked up the victory in three sets against Breleigh Favre and Olivia Hepsworth by scores of 21-18, 18-21, and 15-13. Makenna Schmitt and Shannon Stone posted scores of 21-12 and 21-17 in a two-set victory over Hallie Phelan and Haley Hop in the No. 3 spot.

Julia Oravec and Bria Garmon fell in two sets to Valeria Papakyria and Kai Norman, 21-14 and 21-9, in the No. 4 position. In the No. 5 spot, Kelsie Sager and Kayla Cook lost in two sets by a score of 21-16 and 21-18 against Kaylie Beck and Melanie Miller. Annie Berry and Payton Sproule fell in a tightly contested three sets against Haley Rogers and Faith Miller in an exhibition match, 21-13, 16-21, and 15-13.

No. 11 TCU 5, Central Arkansas 0
In the No. 1 position, Brinkley and Hamilton fell 21-6 and 21-14 against Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno Mateeva. The tandem of Hasness and Griffith were defeated 21-14 and 21-17 by Olivia Blackburn and Hailey Brockett in the No. 2 position. Schmitt and Stone were unable to defeat the duo of Rochelle Scott and Maria Gonzalez in the No. 3 spot. Schmitt and Stone lost in two sets, 21-11 and 21-13.

Sager and Oravec teamed up against Caroline White and Josie Miller in the No. 4 position, but fell in two sets, 21-13 and 21-12. In the No. 5 position, Cook and Sproule faced Hayley Boll and Trinity Cavanaugh. Cook and Sproule fell in the first set, 21-10, but were resilient and finished ahead with a score of 20-16 when the second and third sets were retired. In the exhibition match, Garmon and Berry pulled out a three-set victory against Megan Jacobsen and Jordan Westendorff, 10-21, 21-17, and 15-13.

The Beach Bears return to action Saturday for matchups with No. 13 FIU at 7:30 a.m. followed by UAB at 11:50 a.m.
 
From the Coach – Head Coach Autumn Erickson
"Our biggest opponent today was inside our own heads. Despite having five seniors, the team is still really fresh and inexperienced. Losing to tough teams helps us grow. We look forward to another opportunity to play a nationally ranked opponent tomorrow."
 
Saturday, March 6
UCA vs. #13 FIU – 7:30 a.m.
UVA vs. UAB – 11:50 a.m.
 
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