New Orleans Beach Heads to the East Coast for Four Weekend Matches

NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans beach volleyball team (4-3) is preparing for an action-packed weekend in Columbia, S.C., where they will face tough opponents including Eastern Kentucky, North Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee Tech. New Orleans is set to compete against EKU and UNF at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively on Saturday, followed by matches against the Gamecocks at noon on Sunday and Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m.

After participating in two tournaments, the Privateers hold a 4-3 record. In their recent matches, New Orleans secured victories against Nicholls and Mary Hardin-Baylor while putting up a strong fight against Southeastern. Junior Ivana de Carvahlo Peixe and freshman Nikelle Lander showcased their prowess with a 3-0 record over the weekend, winning all matches in two sets at court four. Additionally, sophomore Renata Dykstra clinched her first career win at court five, alongside partner sophomore Ashley Salazar. Graduate student Rita Zecchin made her season debut at court six, aiming to secure her spot in the lineup soon.

EKU is coming off a 1-3 performance at the UAB Beach Classic, with their sole victory against UT Martin. UNF (5-3) recently concluded a successful home opening weekend with a 3-1 record, only suffering a 3-2 loss to FGCU. South Carolina (4-4) enters the weekend with momentum, securing four wins at home in their previous matches. Tennessee Tech, in its second year as a beach volleyball program, kicked off the 2024 season with a 3-1 record, defeating Erskine, Carson Newman, and Berry College at the Berry Kick-Off tournament.

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