HAMMOND, La. – The University of Central Arkansas beach volleyball team had an incredibly successful day to close the Southeastern Invitational. UCA picked up its first two wins of the season over Spring Hill and McNeese. While the Beach Bears now stands at 2-10, they have been playing much better over the past few weeks.
UCA 3 – Spring Hill 2
The Beach Bears earned their first win on the season Saturday afternoon against the Spring Hill Badgers. Seniors Anna Collums and Payton Sproule had the opportunity to win the Bears their first match of the season and they seized it. With the match tied at 2, the pair won the first set, 25-23, before losing in the second set. The pair stepped up in the clutch, winning the decisive third set, 15-10. Elsewhere, freshmen Liliana Irizary and Ella Weilert stepped up in their opportunity in the No. 4 spot, winning in two sets, 21-16 and 21-14. Another pair of young Bears in Madelyn White and Audrey Cathcart also were able to win their matchup in the No. 5 spot, helping the Bears get in the win column for the first time in 2024. UCA now cuts the deficit in the all-time series to a 5-2 Spring Hill lead, avenging a 3-2 loss last season.
UCA 3 – McNeese State 2
UCA closed things out in the Pelican State with another match in the win column. Much like the morning match, the Bears had a match go to three sets that was pivotal in the victory, as White and Cathcart battled back after losing the opening frame. Sproule and Collums once again were solid in a doubles win. Irizary and Weilert took care of business again, getting valuable experience in their first season on campus. This was the first ever meeting between the two programs, with UCA now holding a 1-0 series lead.
UCA will head east to Conway, South Carolina to take part in the Coastal Carolina Invitational on Friday, March 15th and Saturday, March 16th against Coastal Carolina and Tusculum. To keep up with all things Beach Bears, follow at @UCABeachVB on Twitter/X.
