BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UTEP Beach Volleyball team (2-4) kicked off the UAB Beach Classic with an impressive performance, securing three dual sweeps to emerge victorious over EKU with a final score of 3-2. Despite this early success, UTEP faced a formidable challenge in the host team, UAB, later in the day, resulting in a hard-fought 0-5 defeat.
MATCH 1: UTEP 3, EKU 2
UTEP secured their first two points with dominant sweep performances from Madison Hill/Summer McDonough on Court 2, and Mila Popovic/Ema Uskokovic on Court 4. EKU fought back, earning their first point by defeating Katie Martin/Marian Ovalle on Court 3. The tension escalated on Court 1 as UTEP's Krista Paegle/Paulina Acuna clinched the match in a nail-biting extra-point battle. In a determined effort, EKU secured the final point by overcoming Alexis Massey/Katie Call on Court 5.
Results (Order of Finish: 2, 4, 3, 1*, 5)
1) Paegle/Acuna (UTEP) def. Walker/Mitchell (EKU) 21-17, 22-20
2) Hill/McDonough (UTEP) def. Taggart/Sandlin (EKU) 21-13, 21-10
3) Mueller/Pitsigkani (EKU) def. Martin/Ovalle (UTEP) 21-18, 21-17
4) Popovic/Uskokovic (UTEP) def. Lonergan/Armitage (EKU) 21-15, 21-12
5) Richardson/Cutler (EKU) def. Massey/Call (UTEP) 17-21, 21-13, 15-8
MATCH 2: UAB 5, UTEP 0
UTEP faced a tough 0-5 defeat against UAB. The Blazers demonstrated their dominance by sweeping across Courts 1, 2, 4, and 5. However, UTEP's Popovic/Uskokovic displayed resilience on Court 3, initially securing a set win. UAB's comeback in the second set intensified the dual as it went to a decisive third set. Ultimately, the Blazers edged out the Miners, completing the sweep and securing a comprehensive victory.
Results (Order of Finish: 2, 4, 5*, 1, 3)
1) Cooping/Hass (UAB) def. Paegle/Acuna (UTEP) 21-11, 21-17
2) Day/Ennis (UAB) def. Hill/McDonough (UTEP) 21-13, 21-12
3) Sigmon/Pertuit (UAB) def. Popovic/Uskokovic (UTEP) 16-21, 21-15, 15-10
4) Chychrun/Torsone (UAB) def. Martin/Ovalle (UTEP) 21-7, 21-16
5) Stant/Moler (UAB) def. Massey/Call (UTEP) 21-18, 21-14
UP NEXT
The Miners will take on UT Martin at 7 a.m. MT and #15 Florida Atlantic at 9 a.m. MT on day two of the UAB Beach Classic.
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