University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Friday, April 8
Beach Volleyball Complex
8:30 AM
Southern Miss
3
vs
2
ULM
Beach Volleyball Sweeps Day One Competition at Beach Invitational II
4/8/2022 9:47:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss starts 2-0 at the Southern Miss Beach Invitational II, moves to 9-18 on the season.
"We knew today would be a challenge," said Southern Miss coach Shawn Taylor. "Not only was there a stiff crosswind, but both ULM and Central Arkansas have been playing well. As a staff, we feel like this is the best we have executed game plans across the board. Today was windy and we could have let that impact our game, or not fully use it to our advantage. Either way, we answered the challenge."
Southern Miss 3, ULM 2
The Golden Eagles opened the morning as the rooster crowed against the Warhawks of ULM. ULM entered the match 8-15 on the year and yet to play a Conference USA match. Historically, Southern Miss has never lost to the Warhawks, no matter the location.
The early morning match was complicated further with blustery conditions and chilly temperatures. As the first wave of flights began, a sustained 10 mph wind blew across the courts, only growing stronger.
Southern Miss fell early at the No. 4 flight in straight sets. Hallie Phelan and Reagan Sandlin fell 17-21 and 11-21 for the match's first decision. Finished soon after were Carmen Sanchez Delgado and Madison Cassidy at the exhibition court. The exhibition duo would also fall 16-21, 15-21.
The Black & Gold rebounded at the fifth position in a three-set battle against the Warhawk fives. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou and Kai Norman paired for the twentieth time this season and seventeenth at the fifth position.
The pair narrowly lost the first set 24-26 before rallying to two straight victories. In the second set, the Golden Eagle pair pulled out a 21-19 win. Siakidou Papakyriakou/Norman completed the comeback and earned the squad's first match point of the day in a 15-9 third set triumph.
Beginning the second wave, Southern Miss tied ULM at one apiece before Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik dominated their way to a top flight victory over the Warhawks. The pair finished 21-16 and 21-15 to earn their fourth victory at the position this season.
The match was again tied after third position duo Taylor Pierce and Olivia Hepworth fell 20-22 and 16-21. This left the deciding second position as the last chance for the Golden Eagle victory.
Vanessa Hurnikova and Kellie Garraway took the second flight sand and had already completed their first set—a 21-16 victory—when the weight of the match fell to them.
Needing to hold off the Warhawks' second pair to secure the victory, the Hurnikova/Garraway did just that, winning the second set, and match for Southern Miss, 21-15.
"We were fortunate to come out with the win against ULM," said Taylor. "Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou and Kain Norman getting us on the board early was huge. Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik followed them up with a win before Kellie Garraway and Vanessa Hurnikova punched the final victory to take the match."
"I thought Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik did an excellent job of executing the game plan and were able to make some tactical adjustments late in the match to clinch the win."
Coach Taylor and crew moved to 8-18 in 2022 and picked up their first win in C-USA history (now 1-3 in C-USA this season). The squad also preserved their undefeated record against ULM, now standing at 5-0 and 3-0 in Hattiesburg.
Southern Miss 4, Central Arkansas 1
After surviving the Warhawks in the first match of the day, Southern Miss returned to action against Central Arkansas, who previously had defeated Spring Hill 3-2.
The Beach Bears faced Southern Miss with a 13-8 team record and no previous meeting with the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss kept the same lineups, only changing its exhibition pair by exchanging Madison Cassidy with Melanie Miller.
The match against the Beach Bears was all Southern Miss from start to finish. Siakidou Papakyriakou / Norman kicked off the dual after taking the fifth position 21-18 and 21-19.
The exhibition set was left unfinished after Sanchez Delgado/Miller split two sets, dropping the first and winning the second. Central Arkansas used a different pair of players in each set. Due to time concerns, the third set was left un-played.
Phelan/Sandlin finished the first wave with a three set victory. The Golden Eagle fourth pair took set one 21-8 before slipping to 1-1 against the Beach Bear fours after a 14-21 loss. In the rubber set, Phelan/Sandlin pushed ULM to extra points before claiming an 18-16 victory and the second Southern Miss point of the match.
Third pair Pierce/Hepworth would claim the match point for the Golden Eagle squad after a two set victory. In set one, the pair won 21-14 and would follow that with a 21-17 performance in the second set.
Hurnikova/Garraway would extend the Southern Miss lead to 4-0 against the Central Arkansas No. 2s. In set one, the pair won in double-digit fashion, 21-11 before cutting off a feisty Beach Bear comeback 25-23 to secure the point.
In the only blemish of the match, Favre/Chudzik could not overcome the Central Arkansas first position, falling in two sets. Set one was decided 15-21 and the pair would fall just short, 18-21, once again in the second.
"It was great to see Hallie Phelan and Reagan Sandlin grind out a win against Central Arkansas. By picking up wins at the four and five, the team was set up pretty nice. Taylor Pierce and Olivia Hepworth played strong in the morning but just could not get the pair win, and it was great to see them bounce back this match."
Southern Miss moved to 9-18 on the season and looks to take double digit victories tomorrow.
Up Next
The Black & Gold return to action tomorrow, Saturday, April 9, for the final day of the Southern Miss Beach Invitational II. Matches are set for 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. against Spring Hill and Tulane, respectively. Admission, as always, is free.
The Beach Volleyball team, coaches and staff will recognize its three graduating seniors—No. 3 Breleigh Favre, No. 11 Olivia Hepworth and No. 33 Melanie Miller—at the conclusion of tomorrow's 6:30 p.m. match.
For updates, scores and more, follow Southern Miss Beach Volleyball on Twitter @SouthernMissBVB, on Instagram @southernmissbvb or at SouthernMiss.com.
Southern Miss 3, ULM 2
1. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Brooks, Audrey/Blazek, Julia (ULM) 21-15, 21-16
2. Vanessa Hurnikova/Kellie Garraway (USM) def. Moreland, Elizabeth/Hoven, Brooke (ULM) 21-16, 21-15
3. Gallant, Kayla/Adams, Rylin (ULM) def. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) 22-20, 21-16
4. Nowak, Kaitlyn/Reynolds, Avery (ULM) def. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) 21-17, 21-11
5. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. Elder, Abigail/Bufkin, Abbey (ULM) 24-26, 21-19, 15-9
Ext. Evans, Delaney/Gray, Madison (ULM) def. Carmen Sanchez Delgado/Madison Cassidy (USM) 21-16, 21-15
Southern Miss 4, Central Arkansas Beach Bears 1
1. Faith Hasness/Carol Barbosa (UCA) def. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) 21-15, 21-18
2. Vanessa Hurnikova/Kellie Garraway (USM) def. Julia Oravec/Evelyn GriffithDavis (UCA) 21-11, 25-23
3. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Kelsie Sager/Bria Garmon (UCA) 21-14, 21-17
4. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) def. Payton Sproule/Kayla Cook (UCA) 21-8, 14-21, 18-16
5. Valeria Siakidou Papkyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. Marissa Gilmore/Ryenne Gepford (UCA) 21-18, 21-19
Ext. Carmen Sanchez Delgado/Melanie Miller (USM) vs. Anna Collums/Mary Galloway (UCA) 16-21, 22-20, unfinished
"We knew today would be a challenge," said Southern Miss coach Shawn Taylor. "Not only was there a stiff crosswind, but both ULM and Central Arkansas have been playing well. As a staff, we feel like this is the best we have executed game plans across the board. Today was windy and we could have let that impact our game, or not fully use it to our advantage. Either way, we answered the challenge."
Southern Miss 3, ULM 2
The Golden Eagles opened the morning as the rooster crowed against the Warhawks of ULM. ULM entered the match 8-15 on the year and yet to play a Conference USA match. Historically, Southern Miss has never lost to the Warhawks, no matter the location.
The early morning match was complicated further with blustery conditions and chilly temperatures. As the first wave of flights began, a sustained 10 mph wind blew across the courts, only growing stronger.
Southern Miss fell early at the No. 4 flight in straight sets. Hallie Phelan and Reagan Sandlin fell 17-21 and 11-21 for the match's first decision. Finished soon after were Carmen Sanchez Delgado and Madison Cassidy at the exhibition court. The exhibition duo would also fall 16-21, 15-21.
The Black & Gold rebounded at the fifth position in a three-set battle against the Warhawk fives. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou and Kai Norman paired for the twentieth time this season and seventeenth at the fifth position.
The pair narrowly lost the first set 24-26 before rallying to two straight victories. In the second set, the Golden Eagle pair pulled out a 21-19 win. Siakidou Papakyriakou/Norman completed the comeback and earned the squad's first match point of the day in a 15-9 third set triumph.
Beginning the second wave, Southern Miss tied ULM at one apiece before Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik dominated their way to a top flight victory over the Warhawks. The pair finished 21-16 and 21-15 to earn their fourth victory at the position this season.
The match was again tied after third position duo Taylor Pierce and Olivia Hepworth fell 20-22 and 16-21. This left the deciding second position as the last chance for the Golden Eagle victory.
Vanessa Hurnikova and Kellie Garraway took the second flight sand and had already completed their first set—a 21-16 victory—when the weight of the match fell to them.
Needing to hold off the Warhawks' second pair to secure the victory, the Hurnikova/Garraway did just that, winning the second set, and match for Southern Miss, 21-15.
"We were fortunate to come out with the win against ULM," said Taylor. "Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou and Kain Norman getting us on the board early was huge. Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik followed them up with a win before Kellie Garraway and Vanessa Hurnikova punched the final victory to take the match."
"I thought Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik did an excellent job of executing the game plan and were able to make some tactical adjustments late in the match to clinch the win."
Coach Taylor and crew moved to 8-18 in 2022 and picked up their first win in C-USA history (now 1-3 in C-USA this season). The squad also preserved their undefeated record against ULM, now standing at 5-0 and 3-0 in Hattiesburg.
Southern Miss 4, Central Arkansas 1
After surviving the Warhawks in the first match of the day, Southern Miss returned to action against Central Arkansas, who previously had defeated Spring Hill 3-2.
The Beach Bears faced Southern Miss with a 13-8 team record and no previous meeting with the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss kept the same lineups, only changing its exhibition pair by exchanging Madison Cassidy with Melanie Miller.
The match against the Beach Bears was all Southern Miss from start to finish. Siakidou Papakyriakou / Norman kicked off the dual after taking the fifth position 21-18 and 21-19.
The exhibition set was left unfinished after Sanchez Delgado/Miller split two sets, dropping the first and winning the second. Central Arkansas used a different pair of players in each set. Due to time concerns, the third set was left un-played.
Phelan/Sandlin finished the first wave with a three set victory. The Golden Eagle fourth pair took set one 21-8 before slipping to 1-1 against the Beach Bear fours after a 14-21 loss. In the rubber set, Phelan/Sandlin pushed ULM to extra points before claiming an 18-16 victory and the second Southern Miss point of the match.
Third pair Pierce/Hepworth would claim the match point for the Golden Eagle squad after a two set victory. In set one, the pair won 21-14 and would follow that with a 21-17 performance in the second set.
Hurnikova/Garraway would extend the Southern Miss lead to 4-0 against the Central Arkansas No. 2s. In set one, the pair won in double-digit fashion, 21-11 before cutting off a feisty Beach Bear comeback 25-23 to secure the point.
In the only blemish of the match, Favre/Chudzik could not overcome the Central Arkansas first position, falling in two sets. Set one was decided 15-21 and the pair would fall just short, 18-21, once again in the second.
"It was great to see Hallie Phelan and Reagan Sandlin grind out a win against Central Arkansas. By picking up wins at the four and five, the team was set up pretty nice. Taylor Pierce and Olivia Hepworth played strong in the morning but just could not get the pair win, and it was great to see them bounce back this match."
Southern Miss moved to 9-18 on the season and looks to take double digit victories tomorrow.
Up Next
The Black & Gold return to action tomorrow, Saturday, April 9, for the final day of the Southern Miss Beach Invitational II. Matches are set for 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. against Spring Hill and Tulane, respectively. Admission, as always, is free.
The Beach Volleyball team, coaches and staff will recognize its three graduating seniors—No. 3 Breleigh Favre, No. 11 Olivia Hepworth and No. 33 Melanie Miller—at the conclusion of tomorrow's 6:30 p.m. match.
For updates, scores and more, follow Southern Miss Beach Volleyball on Twitter @SouthernMissBVB, on Instagram @southernmissbvb or at SouthernMiss.com.
Southern Miss 3, ULM 2
1. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Brooks, Audrey/Blazek, Julia (ULM) 21-15, 21-16
2. Vanessa Hurnikova/Kellie Garraway (USM) def. Moreland, Elizabeth/Hoven, Brooke (ULM) 21-16, 21-15
3. Gallant, Kayla/Adams, Rylin (ULM) def. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) 22-20, 21-16
4. Nowak, Kaitlyn/Reynolds, Avery (ULM) def. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) 21-17, 21-11
5. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. Elder, Abigail/Bufkin, Abbey (ULM) 24-26, 21-19, 15-9
Ext. Evans, Delaney/Gray, Madison (ULM) def. Carmen Sanchez Delgado/Madison Cassidy (USM) 21-16, 21-15
Southern Miss 4, Central Arkansas Beach Bears 1
1. Faith Hasness/Carol Barbosa (UCA) def. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) 21-15, 21-18
2. Vanessa Hurnikova/Kellie Garraway (USM) def. Julia Oravec/Evelyn GriffithDavis (UCA) 21-11, 25-23
3. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Kelsie Sager/Bria Garmon (UCA) 21-14, 21-17
4. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) def. Payton Sproule/Kayla Cook (UCA) 21-8, 14-21, 18-16
5. Valeria Siakidou Papkyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. Marissa Gilmore/Ryenne Gepford (UCA) 21-18, 21-19
Ext. Carmen Sanchez Delgado/Melanie Miller (USM) vs. Anna Collums/Mary Galloway (UCA) 16-21, 22-20, unfinished
Players Mentioned
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