JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Central Arkansas Beach Bears battled through four tough matches at The Cooper Beach VB Complex during the ASUN Midseason Tournament but were unable to come away with a team victory against some of the conference's strongest competition.
Day 1 – March 28, 2025
In the opening match of the tournament, the Beach Bears faced FGCU, falling 5-0 to the Eagles. Despite a hard-fought effort, UCA struggled to find momentum against a dominant FGCU squad. The closest contest came in the second pairing, where Katie Atkinson and Anna Linskey pushed their opponents to a deciding third set but ultimately fell 21-19, 18-21, 15-10.
Later in the afternoon, UCA took on Jacksonville and showed resilience in a 4-1 loss. The highlight of the match came at the No. 1 position, where Madelyn White and Anna Linskey secured the Beach Bears' lone victory, winning in three sets (21-18, 21-17, 15-12). Several other duos kept their matches close, but Jacksonville pulled out narrow victories in multiple sets.
Day 2 – March 29, 2025
The Beach Bears continued their tournament run against No. 14 Stetson but fell 4-1. White and Kenzie Foley delivered UCA's only win in a thrilling three-set battle (21-19, 13-21, 15-7) at the top spot. Despite competitive efforts from other pairings, the Hatters' depth proved too much.
In the final match of the tournament, UCA faced No. 16 North Florida and suffered a 5-0 loss. Several pairs fought hard to extend sets, with Audrey Cathcart and Reegan Siewert narrowly dropping both frames at the No. 4 position (21-18, 21-18). Foley and White also pushed their opponents in the top spot but fell just short in a tight second set (21-13, 23-21).
Up Next
The Beach Bears will look to regroup and build on their experience as they continue ASUN play. With valuable lessons from the midseason tournament, UCA will head to Richmond, Ky. to face North Alabama, Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky, April 4-5th.
Match Recaps:
FGCU 5, Central Arkansas 0
1. Kaitlyn Luebbers/Jaci Carpenter (FGCU) DEF. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) – 21-15, 21-12
2. Alexis Keeter/Andrea Dietz (FGCU) DEF. Katie Atkinson/Anna Linskey (UCA) – 21-19, 21-18, 15-10
3. Emma Suncrant/Ava Lilliquist (FGCU) DEF. Naya Tan/Audrey Cathcart (UCA) – 21-12, 21-9
4. Mia Thompson/Sydney Majick (FGCU) DEF. Reegan Siewert/Liliana Irizary (UCA) – 21-11, 21-13
5. Mollie Thomas/Erin Miller (FGCU) DEF. Ella Weilert/Hadley Tully (UCA) – 21-18, 21-14
6. Nicole De Oliveira/Lilly Hafner (FGCU) TIE Madeline Dickerson/Ella Layzell (UCA) – 21-16 (UCA), 21-18 (FGCU)
Jacksonville 4, Central Arkansas 1
1. Madelyn White/Anna Linskey (UCA) DEF. Emily Kubicsko/Claire Mrukowski (JU) – 21-18, 21-17, 15-12
2. Katie Martinez/Morgan Perry (JU) DEF. Katie Atkinson/Reegan Siewert (UCA) – 24-22, 21-17 3. Kristina Nika/Hayden Garnett (JU) DEF. Ella Weilert/Madeline Dickerson (UCA) – 21-10, 21-11 4. Miller Reames/Kate Taylor (JU) DEF. Naya Tan/Ella Layzell (UCA) – 23-21, 21-19
5. Kelly Erhard/Amanda Cunningham (JU) DEF. Audrey Cathcart/Lili Irizarry (UCA) – 21-17, 21-18, 16-14
6. Caitlin Cabrales/Alizé Lemieux (JU) DEF. Kenzie Foley/Hadley Tully (UCA) – 21-12, 21-12
#14 Stetson 4, Central Arkansas 1
1. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) def. Katie Camp/Maria Ozaeta (STET) 21-19, 13-21, 15-7 2. Marta Carro/Julia Radelczuk (STET) def. Anna Linskey/Naya Tan (UCA) 21-17, 21-6
3. Youna Coens/Hanna Gubik (STET) def. Ella Layzell/Katie Atkinson (UCA) 21-11, 21-8
4. Vanessa Hurnikova/Grace Goudy (STET) def. Audrey Cathcart/Reegan Siewert (UCA) 21-18, 21-11
5. Julia Czurylo/Madeline Camp (STET) def. Ella Weilert/Liliana Irizary (UCA) 21-15, 21-13
Ext. Caroline De Oliveira/Katelyn Carroll (STET) def. Madeline Dickerson/Hadley Tully (UCA) 21-18, 21-10
#16 North Florida 5, Central Arkansas 0
1. Murray, Presley/Murphy, Mackenzie (UNF) def. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) 21-13, 23-21
2. Sanchez, Mariana F/Espy, Madison (UNF) def. Anna Linskey/Naya Tan (UCA) 21-12, 21-17 3. Humphries, Cameron/Pierce, Taylor (UNF) def. Ella Layzell/Katie Atkinson (UCA) 21-17, 21-12
4. Silva, Andrea Da/Wooldridge,Hayden (UNF) def. Audrey Cathcart/Reegan Siewert (UCA) 21-18, 21-18
5. Guenter,Emily/Hardouin, Anne Marie (UNF) def. Ella Weilert/Liliana Irizary (UCA) 21-14, 21-15
Ext. Bishop Jada/Marsh, Molly (UNF) def. Madeline Dickerson/Hadley Tully (UCA) 21-13, 21-19
