The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) beach volleyball team lost both matches on April 17 in the first day of the NOLA Classic, hosted by Tulane University. The Warhawks were defeated 5-0 by Arizona and then fell by the same score to Tulane.
These results reflect ongoing challenges for ULM, which now holds a season record of 6-23 overall and 1-4 in Sun Belt Conference play. The NOLA Classic is an opportunity for teams to compete against regional and national opponents ahead of postseason tournaments.
In their first match against Arizona, ULM’s duos struggled across all courts. Katie Felts and Avery Hunter lost on court two with scores of 21-9 and 21-12. Maddie Peterson and Brooke Bankston dropped their match in straight sets, while Abby Ryno and Claire Williamson were defeated on court one with scores of 21-16 and 21-17. Paige Ingersoll paired with Izabela Zukowska also lost on court three, as did Calli Otjen with Ava Sondrup on court five.
Facing host Tulane later in the day, ULM again could not secure a set victory. Felts/Hunter fell on court two (21-15, 21-15), Peterson/Bankston lost as the fourth duo (21-14, 21-18), while Otjen/Sondrup dropped straight sets that clinched the match for Tulane. Ryno/Williamson (court one) and Ingersoll/Zukowska (court three) also came up short.
The Warhawks are scheduled to continue competition at the NOLA Classic on Saturday with matches against Southern Miss at 11 a.m. followed by New Orleans at 1:30 p.m.
