WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 16, 2020) – The Webber International University beach volleyball team headed south for its first two matches of the new 2020 season on Saturday, February 15, as the Warriors fell to NCAA Division-II Palm Beach Atlantic University by a close score of 3-2 before earning their first win of the season over another NCAA Division-II school, Saint Leo University, by another score of 3-2.

COACH'S CORNER: Webber's Head Beach Volleyball Coach Jessica Gehrke-Hauptmann said, "I am really proud of the team for their relentless effort and competitiveness on Saturday. We not only faced some tough competition, but we had some rain and wind during our matches that never broke our team's focus. Unfortunately, we were unable to pull out both team wins, but overall, we had some really strong performances against two NCAA Division-II teams. I am very excited about where we are going as a program and we look forward to competing on our home courts this weekend."

Webber International University Beach Volleyball's Season Opening Lineup:

• No. 1: Salla Rautiainen and Laura Embry
• No. 2: Mekenzie Breuklander and Emily Bowen
• No. 3: Julia Ferraro and Luiza Oliveira
• No. 4: Hannah Tannone and Kobi Allston
• No. 5: Jessica Terry and Svetlana Varkentina

 
Match 1 (Webber 2, Palm Beach Atlantic 3):

• Both of the Warriors' wins against PBA were three setters as Hannah Tannone and Kobi Allston came back to win 20-22, 21-13, 15-10 while Luiza Oliveira and Julia Ferraro were victorious 21-19, 18-21, 15-11.
• However, Salla Rautiainen and Laura Embry fell 21-17, 21-15, Mekenzie Breuklander and Emily Bowen lost 21-15, 21-13, and Jessica Terry and Svetlana Varkentina were defeated 21-14, 21-9.
• It was the first ever official beach volleyball match for PBA, which is now competing in its inaugural season.

 
Match 2 (Webber 3, Saint Leo 2):

• Hannah Tannone and Kobi Allston improved to 2-0 with a 21-16, 21-18 win.
• Luiza Oliveira and Julia Ferraro won 21-19, 21-15 to also improve to 2-0.
• Mekenzie Breuklander and Emily Bowen earned their first win, taking it 21-15, 21-19.
• Losses for the Warriors were Jessica Terry and Svetlana Varkentina falling 21-18, 21-14 and Laura Embry and Salla Rautiainen dropping a close third set 21-12, 15-21, 16-14.

 
Next Up: The Warriors will host the Webber Classic on Friday, February 22, as Webber plays its first home regular-season match against Bryant & Stratton College at 9 a.m. before hosting NJCAA St. Johns River State College in an exhibition match at 12 p.m.