PHOENIX & TEMPE, Ariz. – The UTEP beach volleyball team (10-11, 2-1 Conference USA) faced a tough test at the GCU/ASU Invitational on Saturday, dropping both of its dual matches. The Miners fell 4-1 to Conference USA opponent UAB in Phoenix before being swept by No. 12 Arizona State in Tempe.
Dual 1: UAB 4, UTEP 1
UAB secured the match victory early, winning the first four matchups before UTEP claimed its lone win on court three. Despite the final result, the Miners pushed the Blazers to the limit, as all five courts went the distance in three-set battles.
UTEP's duo of Krista Paegle and Mila Popovic fought hard to notch a win at the No. 3 position, giving the Miners their only point of the match.
Results (order of finish: 2,4,5*,1,3)
1) Olivia Stant / Jasmine Hass (UAB) def. Hill / Uskokovic (UTEP) 17-21, 21-16, 15-11
2) Isabel Day / Claudia Stockard (UAB) def. Acuna / Ovalle (UTEP) 16-21, 21-19, 15-10
3) Popovic / Paegle (UTEP) def. Olivia Chychrun / Azmabeth Infante (UAB) 19-21, 21-16, 16-14
4) Klea Sirois / Lauren Cairo (UAB) def. Perry / Schubert (UTEP) 17-21, 23-21, 15-3
5) Ashley Torsone / Addison Atkins (UAB) def. Oporto / Davis (UTEP) 18-21, 21-15, 16-14
Dual 2: #12 ASU 5, UTEP 0
In the second match of the day, UTEP faced a formidable challenge against nationally ranked Arizona State. The Sun Devils proved too strong, sweeping the Miners 5-0 in Tempe.
Results (order of finish: 2,4,1*,3,5)
1) Samaya Morin / Daniella Kensinger (ASU) def. Madison Hill / Ema Uskokovic (UTEP) 21-18, 21-15
2) Ava Kirunchyk / Ava Williamson (ASU) def. Paulina Acuna / Marian Ovalle (UTEP) 21-10, 21-6
3) Tori Clement / Kendall Whitmarsh (AUS) def. Mila Popovic / Krista Paegle (UTEP) 21-12, 21-15
4) Ava Haughy / Olivia McElroy (ASU) def. Lauren Perry / Emma Schubert (UTEP) 21-12, 21-11
5) Zoe Taylor / Layla Williams (ASU) def. Adriana Oporto / Mackenzi Davis (UTEP) 21-18, 21-11
Up Next
UTEP will now set its sights on the Beach Burrow Bash, hosted by Florida Atlantic, from April 11-12 in Boca Raton, Florida.
For complete coverage of UTEP Beach Volleyball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at UTEP Beach Volleyball (Facebook), @utepbeachvb (Instagram) and @UTEPBeachVB (X) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at
