Beach Volleyball Concludes Opening Weekend With Matches Against Two Ranked Foes

Saturday, February 25

DeLand, Fla.

12 p.m.

University of North Florida

FAU

Chantel McMillan and Hayden Wooldridge at the ASUN Beach Volleyball Championships

Nine newcomers saw time over the weekend as UNF took on two ranked foes and another receiving votes.

Photo by: ASUN Photos

Beach Volleyball Concludes Opening Weekend With Matches Against Two Ranked Foes

2/25/2023 10:18:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Match 1 Results Match 2 Results

Murray and Espy Finish Weekend 4-0

DELAND, Fla. - North Florida beach volleyball wrapped up its opening weekend of the 2023 season against a pair of ranked teams, going up against No. 12 FAU and No. 15 Stetson Saturday, Feb. 25. The young contingent of Ospreys garnered valuable experience for the second-straight day as nine Ospreys made their debuts over the weekend.

Five courts went to three sets as the Ospreys (1-3) battled against two national contenders in Florida Atlantic (3-1) and Stetson (4-0). UNF came up short against FAU and nearly knocked off Stetson before falling to the hosts, 3-2.

Madison Espy and Presley Murray headlined the weekend for UNF, going 4-0 while taking care of business at the third and the fourth slots. Katie Camp and Michaela Rezentes also nabbed two wins on the weekend as UNF opened its 12th season in program history.

UNF played two nationally ranked teams and another receiving votes during the first weekend of play. It's the first of six tournaments UNF will play in the state of Florida this season.

#12 FAU 4, UNF 1
Saturday, Feb. 25 | DeLand, Fla. | The Cooper Beach Courts

FAU took a 2-0 lead with wins at the fourth and fifth slots, eventually clinching with a win at the second slot. Murray and Espy grinded out an impressive win at the third position, winning in three frames. At the top slot, Iris Fletcher and Audrey Brooks nearly won their own three-set match, but a 15-11 result in favor of the Owls ended things, 4-1, in favor of FAU.

Results
1. Ashleigh Adams/Julie Honzovicova (FAU) def. Iris Fletcher/Audrey Brooks (UNF) 18-21, 21-19, 15-11
2. Ellie Austin/Christine Jarman (FAU) def. Michaela Rezentes/Katie Camp (UNF) 21-9, 21-13
3. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Emma Grace Robertson/Jullienne Cangelosi (FAU) 18-21, 21-14, 15-13
4. Kate McLaughlin/Logan Mignerey (FAU) def. Kelly McConekey/Hayden Wooldridge (UNF) 21-13, 21-17
5. Stephanie Young/Alivia Orvieto (FAU) def. Mikayla Benanti/Mackenzie Murphy (UNF) 21-19, 21-11
Ext. Kendall Mignerey/Courtney Moon (FAU) def. Emily Guenter/Chantel McMillan (UNF) 21-14, 21-14

Match Notes
North Florida 1-2
FAU 3-0; National ranking #12
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,2,3,1);

#15 Stetson 3, UNF 2
Saturday, Feb. 25 | DeLand, Fla. | The Cooper Beach Courts

The challenging slate continued against long-time rival, Stetson, in the weekend finale, as the 36th meeting between the two teams went to a 3-2 decision. It was the 13th time UNF and Stetson have played to a 3-2 result, while the first 3-2 result between the two since UNF won against Stetson in the 2021 ASUN Championship in DeLand.

Three of the five courts went the full three frames, with UNF and Stetson splitting two of those between the fourth and fifth slots. Chantel McMillan and Hayden Wooldridge familiarized themselves with Stetson, winning with resilience, 24-26, 21-17, 15-12.
Murray and Espy continued to provide a lift, winning at the third slot in straight sets, but Stetson matched UNF again with the same outcome at court two.

The match came down to the top pair, with Brooks and Fletcher trading 21-15 results over the first two sessions. The deciding set went to the hosts, 15-11, as Stetson won the initial meeting of the season.

Results
1. Karin Zolnercikova/Shae Henson (STE) def. Audrey Brooks/Iris Fletcher (UNF) 21-15, 15-21, 15-11
2. Tori Clement/Carolina Ferraris (STE) def. Katie Camp/Michaela Rezentes (UNF) 21-12, 23-21
3. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Audrey Gauthier/Gabriella Bramante (STE) 21-18, 21-16
4. Klea Sirois/Noelle Weintraub (STE) def. Mackenzie Murphy/Mikayla Benanti (UNF) 16-21, 21-15, 15-12
5. Chantel McMillan/Hayden Wooldridge (UNF) def. Lauren Della/Kennedy Warren (STE) 24-26, 21-17, 15-12
Ext. Aleksandra Stadnik/Alina Urzua (STE) vs. Zoe Cahill/Anna Mallory (UNF) 21-19, 16-12, unfinished

Match Notes
North Florida 1-3
Stetson 4-0; National ranking #15

Postgame Comments
"It was a great weekend of learning and growth for our young team. We started six freshmen in different matchess and they all rose to the occasion when given the opportunity. We progressed in our level of play in each of the matches, ending with our best match vs. Stetson. I'm proud of how this group battled and fought in each of the five slots in that match with Stetson. We're looking forward to getting back to work thiss week and making another jump in our play." -- Head Coach Doug Wright

Up Next
UNF opens its home slate with the DUUUVAL Duals beginning Friday, Mar. 3. Mercer, Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina and Charleston will make the trip to UNF.