HOUSTON, Texas – UTEP Beach Volleyball kicked off its 2025 season at the Third Coast College Classic, splitting its opening matches on Saturday. The Miners earned a decisive 4-1 victory over Central Arkansas before falling in a tightly contested battle against host Houston Christian, 3-2.
Match Recaps
UTEP 4, UCA 1
In the first match of the day, UTEP defeated Central Arkansas (4-1) with strong performances across the board. The Miners secured wins in four of five flights, with the No. 3, 4, and 5 pairs setting the tone early.Adriana Oporto and Mackenzi Davis clinched the match at the No. 5 spot sweeping 21-13, 21-15.
Results (order of finish: 3,4,5*,1,2)
1) UTEP (Paegle, Krista/Acuna, Paulina) def. UCA (Foley, Kenzie/Atkinson, Katie) - 21-13, 20-22, 15-10
2) UCA (Linskey, Anna/Melton, Riley) def. UTEP (Hill, Madison/Uskokovic, Ema) - 10-21, 21-14, 15-7
3) UTEP (Ovalle, Marian/Schubert, Emma) def. UCA (Layzell, Ella/Cathcart, Audrey) - 21-16, 21-12
4) UTEP (Rich, Reese/Perry, Lauren) def. UCA (White, Madelyn/Siewert, Reegan) - 21-15, 21-15
5) UTEP (Oporto, Adriana/Davis, Mackenzi) def. UCA (Tan, Naya/Irizarry, Liliana) - 21-13, 21-15
HCU 3, UTEP 2
Against Houston Christian, UTEP fought hard but came up just short in a 3-2 loss. Madison Hill and Ema Uskokovic dominated their match at the No. 2 position (21-16, 21-9), while Mila Popovic and Kennedy Llewellyn secured another point at No. 5 (21-17, 17-21, 15-9). However, the Miners fell into tight three-set battles at No. 3 and No. 4, ultimately deciding the dual in favor of HCU.
Results (order of finish: 1,2,5,4,3*)
1) HCU (Heilbrun, Rachel/Gilmour, Kristin) def. UTEP (Paegle, Krista/Acuna, Paulina) 21-14 21-11
2) UTEP (Hill, Madison/Uskokovic, Ema) def. HCU (Silverthorn, Alisia/Lockhardt, Tatum) 21-16 21-9
3) HCU (Vickery, Lauren/Sanchez George, Karla) def. UTEP (Ovalle, Marian/Schubert, Emma) 17-21 21-16 15-13
4) HCU (Palmer, Paige/Landmark, Alexa) def. UTEP (Perry, Lauren/Rich, Reese) 18-21 21-9 15-12
5) UTEP (Popovic, Mila/Llewellyn, Kennedy) def. HCU (Pearce, Audrey/Patton, Allie) 21-17 17-21 15-9
From the Coach
"It was a good start to the season. We were able to beat a good UCA team but loss a tough one to HCU," head coach Daniel Foo said. "We had opportunities in the 3's and 4's, both going to a third set, but just didn't find the last two points. I am proud of the fight our team showed through tough weather and time changes. They didn't let that affect them and went out and competed well. I expect more of the same tomorrow."
Up Next
The Miners continue play at the Third Coast College Classic on Sunday, February 23, with three matches on the schedule. UTEP will take on McNeese at 7 a.m. MT, followed by a matchup against No. 15 Texas at 9 a.m. MT, and will close out the event against Sam Houston at 11:30 a.m. MT.
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