Newcomers Make Impact, Beach Volleyball Splits Season-Opening Twin Bill

Friday, February 24

DeLand, Fla.

12 p.m.

University of North Florida

FGCU

Rezentes and partner Katie Camp won both of their matches on day one.

Photo by: Jeremiah Wilson

Newcomers Make Impact, Beach Volleyball Splits Season-Opening Twin Bill

2/25/2023 3:27:00 AM | Beach Volleyball

Match 1 Results Match 2 Results

10 Ospreys Make UNF Debuts

DELAND, Fla. - North Florida beach volleyball started off the 2023 season with the continuation of long-standing rivalries against FGCU and Mercer as the Ospreys saw the debut of 10 newcomers in a split of the Friday twin bill.

The Ospreys were narrowly edged, 3-2, by (RV) FGCU, with the deciding court coming down to the third frame. North Florida bounced back with a commanding win in the second contest of the day, winning all but two sets in a 4-1 win against Mercer.

(RV) FGCU 3, UNF 2
Friday, Feb. 24 | DeLand, Fla. | The Cooper Beach Courts

UNF took an early lead with a straight-sets win by Presley Murray and Madison Espy at the fourth position. FGCU got the equalizer with their own two-set triumph at the fifth slot, forcing the remaining three courts to battle it out for two more deciding tallies.

FGCU took a brief 2-1 lead, but transfer Michaela Rezentes and freshman Katie Camp downed FGCU's second pair to tie things, 2-2. Experienced transfers, Audrey Brooks and Iris Fletcher, took the opening set at the top pair, although FGCU rallied to win a grinder, 23-21, and the deciding set, 15-10.

UNF's Mackenzie Murphy and Mikayla Benanti did earn a two-set win at the extras pair.

Results
1. Madison Parmelly/Kacie Johnson (FGCU) def. Audrey Brooks/Iris Fletcher (UNF) 20-22, 23-21, 15-10
2. Michaela Rezentes/Katie Camp (UNF) def. Shelby Beisner/Trinity Rosales (FGCU) 21-12, 21-19
3. Dylan Brewer/Nicole De Oliveira (FGCU) def. Hayden Wooldridge/Kelly McConekey (UNF) 21-15, 21-18
4. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Lexie Hamilton/Kaitlyn Luebbers (FGCU) 21-10, 21-13
5. Kristina Gluc/Jacqueline Carpenter (FGCU) def. Chantel McMillan/Zoe Cahill (UNF) 21-9, 21-12
Ext. Mackenzie Murphy/Mikayla Benanti (UNF) def. Lily Felts/Mia Thompson (FGCU) 21-14, 21-13

Match Notes
North Florida 0-1
FGCU 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (4,5,3,2,1);

UNF 4, Mercer 1
Friday, Feb. 24 | DeLand, Fla. | The Cooper Beach Courts

UNF dominated the Bears, winning all but two sets at the third slot to defeat Mercer in the inaugural win of the 2023 season.

Brooks, Fletcher, Murphy and Benanti all earned their first official wins. Emily Guenter and Anna Mallory took down their foe in the extras slot to add to the success of the second match of the day.

Results
1. Audrey Brooks/Iris Fletcher (UNF) def. Lexi Polychrones/Jordan Paddock (MER) 21-19, 21-18
2. Michaela Rezentes/Katie Camp (UNF) def. Kate Hardie/Nicole O'Mara (MER) 21-16, 21-18
3. Thomas-Warren/Sydney Benson (MER) def. Hayden Wooldridge/Kelly McConekey (UNF) 21-17, 10-21, 15-11
4. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Hollis Engel/Alyssa Scoggins (MER) 21-19, 21-12
5. Mackenzie Murphy/Mikayla Benanti (UNF) def. Jordan Morris/Carly Lenhardt (MER) 21-8, 21-15
Ext. Anna Mallory/Emily Guenter (UNF) def. Emily Earwood/Kathryn Corbett (MER) 21-10, 21-15

Match Notes
North Florida 1-1
Mercer 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,3,2,1);

Up Next
UNF completes a challenging weekend in DeLand against No. 12 FAU and No. 15 Stetson. The matches will get going at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively.