Beach Volleyball Splits Weekend-Opening Twin Bill

Friday, April 7

12 p.m.

University of North Florida

UNCW

Espy and Murray won two three-set matches Friday.

Photo by: Brock Borgeson

4/8/2023 12:08:00 AM | Beach Volleyball

Match 1 (UNCW) Results Match 2 (FIU) Results

Ospreys Sweep UNCW, Narrowly Clipped Against No. 13 FIU

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida beach volleyball opened up the final home weekend of the regular season by sweeping UNC Wilmington (10-11) before coming up just short of knocking off No. 13 FIU Friday, April 7.

The Ospreys are 6-2 on the current home stand and now have won via nine sweeps on the year. North Florida nearly defeated the Panthers (12-14) for the first time in the head-to-head series, while UNF improved to 7-1 against the Seahawks.

No. 19 UNF 5, UNCW 0
Friday, April 7 | The Coop | Jacksonville, Fla.

North Florida won all but two sets across all pairs, including the extras slot, to get off to a good start on the weekend. Mariana Feliciano Sanchez and Mackenzie Murphy finished first, winning by at least an eight-point margin. Chantel McMillan and Hayden Wooldridge followed, coming back to win 22-20 before cruising in the second, 21-11.

Audrey Brooks and Iris Fletcher did their job in clinching the contest in straight sets, while Michaela Rezentes and Katie Camp had a clinical performance at the fourth slot. Presley Murray and Madison Espy reached 20 wins as a duo on the year with a resilient three-set win for good measure, winning 18-16 in the third frame.

Zoe Cahill and Kelly McConekey also contributed a three-set win, concluding the contest with another 18-16 finish in the third.

Results
1. Audrey Brooks/Iris Fletcher (UNF) def. Gabby LaPata/Sadie Sharkey (UNCW) 21-18, 21-17
2. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Ashley Thompson/Bri Haggerty (UNCW) 21-18, 17-21, 18-16
3. Michaela Rezentes/Katie Camp (UNF) def. Ellie Bucci/Lyvia Trimp (UNCW) 21-12, 21-10
4. M. Feliciano-Sanchez/Mackenzie Murphy (UNF) def. Tyla Cutrie/Maddy Folks (UNCW) 21-13, 21-10
5. Chantel McMillan/Hayden Wooldridge (UNF) def. Jadyn Barry/Sarah Thompson (UNCW) 22-20, 21-11
Ext. Zoe Cahill/Kelly McConekey (UNF) def. Morgan Smith/Grace Melnick (UNCW) 16-21, 21-16, 18-16

Match Notes
UNCW 10-11
North Florida 17-6; National ranking #19
Order of finish: Doubles (4,5,1,3,2);

No. 13 FIU 3, UNF 2
Friday, April 7 | The Coop | Jacksonville, Fla.

The momentum bounced back and forth between the teams early on as pairs four and five both went to three sets. Feliciano-Sanchez and Murphy earned the first team point thanks to a 15-13 triumph in the third frame. FIU had a late push at the fifth slot though to even things up.

Florida International was tough out of the gates at the top slot, while a first-set win at the third position keyed FIU to go on and take things in two. With the Panthers up 3-1, Espy and Murray dug deep to add another impressive win to their ledger, winning 20-22, 22-20 and 15-11.

Mikayla Benanti joined Cahill at the extras slot.

Results
1. Lucie Pokorna/Milica Vukobrat (FIU) def. Audrey Brooks/Iris Fletcher (UNF) 21-12, 21-10
2. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Rachele Mancinelli/Roberta Ribeiro (FIU) 20-22, 22-20, 15-11
3. Giada Bianchi/Lisa Luini (FIU) def. Michaela Rezentes/Katie Camp (UNF) 22-20, 21-16
4. M. Feliciano-Sanchez/Mackenzie Murphy (UNF) def. Emily Meyer/Anna Davis (FIU) 21-16, 20-22, 15-13
5. Zuzanna Bielak/Alice Pratesi (FIU) def. Chantel McMillan/Hayden Wooldridge (UNF) 20-22, 21-19, 15-10
Ext. Zoe Cahill/Mikayla Benanti (UNF) def. Kendra Brown/Emma Braticevic (FIU) 21-11, 18-21, 15-11

Match Notes
FIU 12-14; National ranking #13
North Florida 17-7; National ranking #19
Order of finish: Doubles (4,5,3,1,2);
T-2:25 A-131

Notes

UNF is 10-2 at home on the year
North Florida is 6-2 on the current 10-match home stand
Espy and Murray are the first freshman duo to reach 20 wins together in program history
The Ospreys have played nine matches against ranked teams this year
The Ospreys will host Senior Day tomorrow before the Mercer match

Up Next
UNF finishes up its 10-match home stand tomorrow with a 10 a.m. first serve against Mercer and a 4 p.m. matchup against Saint Leo.