Beach Volleyball Splits Two Matches in the First Day of the Tulane Classic

Friday, March 11

Elmwood, La. / White Sands Beach Volleyball

10:45 A.M.

Southern Miss

Houston Baptist

Beach Volleyball Splits Two Matches in the First Day of the Tulane Classic

3/11/2022 7:46:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

NEW ORLEANS – Southern Miss splits its first two matches at the Tulane Classic.

The Golden Eagles opened the day against Houston Baptist at 10:45 A.M. Flights four, five and six took to the sand first against the Huskies. However, after flight four and six finished, the Tulane Classic was delayed over an hour due to weather. Once play resumed, the Golden Eagles rallied to a 3-2 win over the Huskies, marking the second win for the Black & Gold in 2022.

"I was really proud of our effort against Houston Baptist," said head coach Shawn Taylor. "We had an extensive lightning delay midway through the matches. While court four and six had finished, court five was trailing 11-8 in set three when we were forced to stop. For them to come back and win was huge for us. The win gave us great momentum to start the next wave against HBU. No. 1 pairing Breleigh Favre and Kellie Garraway played aggressively, as did No. 2 pair Aleksandra Chudzik and Vanessa Hurnikova."

After over three-and-a-half hours since the start of their matches against HBU, the Golden Eagles had fifteen minutes to recuperate and prepare for their rematch against C-USA foe UAB. The Blazers had drawn the morning match against Tulane and had been off the courts during Southern Miss' matches and delay.

The Blazers knocked off the Black & Gold last weekend 3-2 but the compounding disadvantages led to errors from the Southern Miss squad as they fell 0-5 UAB.

"It was a quick turnaround to play UAB," said Taylor. "I thought we came out pretty flat. We sat back and let UAB dictate the result. Against good teams, we need to be aggressive. Credit to UAB as they came out and played with heaps of confidence."

Southern Miss finishes play in the Tulane Classic tomorrow with two matches against New Orleans and Nicholls at 10:45 A.M. and 3:15 P.M., respectively.

For updates, scores and more, follow Southern Miss on Twitter @SouthernMissBVB, on Instagram @southernmissbvb or at SouthernMiss.com.

Southern Miss 3, Houston Baptist 2
1. Breleigh Favre/Kellie Garraway (USM) def. Maddie Butters/Brennan Miller (HBU) 21-14, 21-18
2. Vanessa Hurnikova/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Lauren Huggins/Alison Stanfill (HBU) 21-8, 17-21, 15-7
3. Lindsay Harris/Kristen Kleymeyer (HBU) def. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) 21-19, 21-19
4. Shelby O'Neal/Gabi Axelrod (HBU) def. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) 21-16, 21-15
5. Valeria Siakidou Papkyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. Mary Alper/Victoria Kenney (HBU) 21-15, 21-17

UAB 5, Southern Miss 0
1. Rachel Tam/Adriana Pereira (UAB) def. Breleigh Favre/Kellie Garraway (USM) 21-14, 21-17
2. Dylnn Otte/Emma Andraka (UAB) def. Vanessa Hurnikova/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) 21-14, 21-16
3. Arden Copping/Mikayla Law-Heese (UAB) def. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) 21-16, 16-21, 15-12
4. Jessica Ennis/Jenna Gathright (UAB) def. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) 21-16, 21-12
5. Naomi Ortiz/Ella Alexander (UAB) def. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) 21-18, 21-18