University of New Orleans Beach Volleyball Concludes Postseason with 3-0 Win, Narrow 3-2 Loss in Southland Championships

HOUSTON, Texas — The University of New Orleans beach volleyball team's postseason campaign came to a close with a 3-0 victory over No. 8 Nicholls State followed by a 3-2 defeat in the elimination match against No. 3 Houston Christian in the 2024 Southland Beach Volleyball Championships on Saturday.

New Orleans asserted dominance over Nicholls, securing two dual points in the first wave on courts four and two. The match was clinched by Senior Bria Garmon and sophomore Maria Ozaeta, who improved to a team-best 21-12 record by the end of the day.

The battle against HCU commenced at noon. HCU surged to an early advantage with dual points on courts two and four. However, with Garmon/Ozaeta and seniors Hannah Volpi and junior Ivana D. Carvahlo Peixe securing strong victories on courts one and three in two sets, the dual was soon tied at 2-2. All attention turned to court five as seniors Rita Zecchin and Ola Filip competed early in the set before HCU built a substantial lead to clinch the overall match, leading their team to the semifinals.
 

New Orleans 3, Nicholls State 0

1. Maria Ozaeta and Bria Garmon (UNO) def.  Hailey Mason and Keira Heckel (NICH) 21-11 21-14
2. Nikelle Lander and Valerie Vujnovich (UNO) def. Kennedi Steel and Shelby McGee (NICH) 21-17 21-14
3. Hannah Volpi and I De Carvalho Peixe (UNO) vs. Brooklynn Wilkinson and Bethanie Durant (NICH) 21-10 14-16 match was unfinished
4. Anne Marie Hardouin and Serena Baumgart (UNO) def. McKenna Malone and McKay Wilson (NICH) 21-10 21-16
5. Rita Zecchin and Ola Filip (UNO) vs. Tierney Terrell and Carleigh Breaux (NICH) 21-19, 21-10

MATCH NOTES Order of finish:2, 4, 1,

HCU 3, New Orleans 2

1. Maria Ozaeta and Bria Garmon (UNO) def.  Kristen Kleymeyer and Abbey Bufkin (HCU) 21-17 21-16
2. Rachel Heilbrun and Kristin Gilmour (HCU) def. Nikelle Lander and Valerie Vujnovich (UNO) 21-16 21-14
3. Hannah Volpi and I De Carvalho Peixe (UNO) def. Paige Palmer and Audrey Pearce (HCU) 21-16 21-12 
4. Mary Alper and Tatum Lockhardt (HCU) def. Anne Marie Hardouin and Serena Baumgart (UNO) 21-18 21-16
5. Lauren Vickery and Kylann Griffith (HCU) def. Rita Zecchin and Ola Filip (UNO) 21-12 21-10 

MATCH NOTES
Order of finish:2, 4, 1, 3, 5,

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