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General Tom Riordan

Beach Volleyball Preview: ULM (SBC Tournament)

HUNSTVILLE, Ala. – Fourth-seeded UNCW opens its Sun Belt Tournament run on Thursday with a 11:30 a.m. match against fifth-seeded Louisiana Monroe at the John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex.

The Seahawks carry a five-match winning streak into the postseason and stand at 15-12 on the season. The Warhawks, meanwhile, crafted an incredible 30-2 mark during the season and have on their last eight outings. UNCW and ULM last met during the 2016 season and split a pair of matches, both winning by the score of 3-2.

UNCW freshman Gabby LaPata was named Sun Belt Conference Rookie of the Year on Wednesday and was also named Second-Team All-Conference alongside teammate Sadie Sharkey, a junior. The pair went 16-11 on the season with all matches being played at the topflight.

Joining LaPata and Sharkey on the All-Conference teams were Ashley Thompson and Bri Haggerty, who both earned First-Team honors. Thompson and Haggerty combined to go 17-4 as a pairing, including a 9-0 mark at the third flight.

ULM had two pairings earn Second-team All-SBC honors. Julia Blazek and Kaitlyn Nowak combined for a 23-7 mark this season while splitting time between the top two flights. Avery Reynolds and Claire Williamson played at the fourth flight and fashioned a 30-1 mark. Reynolds and Williamson own a 23-match winning streak entering the postseason.

The winner of the match has a short turnaround as they will play the winner of the Georgia State/Stephen F. Austin. The loser, though, will have time to regroup before playing an elimination match at 10 a.m. EST on Friday.

All matches in the tournament will be streamed on ESPN+.
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Players Mentioned

Bri Haggerty

#12 Bri Haggerty

Junior
Sadie Sharkey

#22 Sadie Sharkey

Junior
Ashley Thompson

#31 Ashley Thompson

Senior
Gabby LaPata

#4 Gabby LaPata

5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Bri Haggerty

#12 Bri Haggerty

Junior
Sadie Sharkey

#22 Sadie Sharkey

Junior
Ashley Thompson

#31 Ashley Thompson

Senior
Gabby LaPata

#4 Gabby LaPata

5' 11"
Freshman