UNF Tops Rival JU in Sand Volleyball Opener, 4-1

Friday, March 9

Jacksonville, Fla.

1 pm

University of North Florida

Jacksonville

3/9/2012 4:58:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Historic Win Interview (Jenkins & Strack)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The North Florida sand volleyball team made history Friday afternoon posting a 4-1 victory over crosstown rival Jacksonville in the program's inaugural match at the Dolphin Beach Volleyball Complex.

It was a day of firsts for the Ospreys from the team's first point (scored by Kelsey Smith), to the first match point (earned by the team of Carolyn Jenkins-Emily Strack) and the program's first overall match victory. The win also marked the first for new UNF head coach Steve Loeswick.

“I am very proud of our team for the poise and composure they played with today,” said Loeswick. “Every match was a close competition with three of them going to a third set. We got off to a great start earning a pair of wins in flights 2 and 5 and then sealed the match win with a victory in flight 3. Our flight 4 pair really battled in a tough three-set loss before we closed the match with a thrilling third-set win in flight 1 action. This was a solid start but we still have some things we can improve upon. I know the girls are anxious to get back to work. The atmosphere throughout the match was amazing and we want to definitely thank all the UNF fans and athletic staff that came over to support us. This was definitely a great way to start sand volleyball at UNF.”

The match opened with the pairs in flight 2 and 5 squaring off. UNF's No. 2 tandem of Carolyn Jenkins and Emily Strack claimed the first point of the day behind a 2-0 straight set victory over JU's Alyssa Robertson and Kathryn Kane. The Ospreys built a 2-0 match lead after pairing No. 5 Casey Giovanazzi and Kelsey Smith rallied for a 2-1 decision against Kylie Jacobs and Jena Orner.

North Florida's No. 3 team of Allison Shirley and Britt Claessens posted a 2-0 sweep of Sammie Strausbaugh and Alison Leopky to secure the match. JU's pair of Niatha Cullen and Nicole Teplitz at No. 4 earned the Dolphin's lone point of the match after outlasting UNF's Nicole Baran and Marija Pantovic.

The final competition of the match pitted UNF's No. 1 pair of Dagnija Medina and Julie Trembley against JU's Kendall Courtney and Cari Whitmire. The Osprey duo claimed set one 21-14 before falling 21-19 in the second set. Medina-Trembley built an early lead in the deciding third set before having to fight off a late Dolphin surge for the 15-13 decision.

North Florida's next sand volleyball action comes Mar. 23-25 at the College of Charleston Duals. UNF makes its home debut in the sport Mar. 30 against FAU at the Jacksonville Beach sand courts.

Final Results
Flight #1: JU#1 K. Courtney & C. Whitmire x UNF #1 D. Medina & J. Trembley- UNF won 2-1
Flight #2: JU#2 A. Robertson & K. Kane x UNF #2 C. Jenkins & E. Strack- UNF won 2-0
Flight #3:JU#3 S. Strausbaugh & A. Leopky x UNF #3 A. Shirley & B. Claessens- UNF won 2-0
Flight #4: JU#4 N. Cullen & N. Teplitz x UNF #4 N. Baran & M. Pantovic- JU won 2-1
Flight #5: JU#5 K. Jacobs & J. Orner x UNF#5 C. Giovanazzi & K. Smith- UNF won 2-1

Duals scoring
Flight #1 Winner (5 points) - Loser (2.5 points)
Flight #2 Winner (4 points) - Loser (2 points)
Flight #3Winner (3 points) - Loser (1.5 points)
Flight #4Winner (2 points) - Loser (1 point)
Flight #5 Winner (1 points) - Loser (0.5 points)

Total points
UNF: 14
JU: 8.5