BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) beach volleyball team opened the 2016 UAB Beach Blast with an exciting 3-2 victory over the University of New Orleans (UNO) Privateers (2-10) on Saturday morning and followed up that match with an impressive 4-1 win over Jacksonville State University (JSU).

In the day's first contest, Spring Hill and UNO went down to the final points as the teams were tied 2-2 headed into play on the No. 1 Court where sophomore Julie Vujnovich and junior Madison Seuzeneau rallied to win a grueling 17-21, 23-21, 17-15 marathon decision.

Spring Hill 3 New Orleans 2
1. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SHC) def. Celeste Ramirez/Kaitlin Grice (UNO); 17-21, 23-21, 17-15
2. Anna Tietjens/Dorina Klinger (SHC) def. Brooklyn Frank/Samantha Uline (UNO); 18-21, 24-22, 15-8
3. Lauren Levy/Cara Sander (UNO) def. Molly Griffin/Hannah Masoner (SHC); 21-11, 20-22, 15-12
4. Sara Brodner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) def. Courtney Roblez/Milica Zmiric (UNO); 21-13, 21-12
5. Blessing Dunn/Madison Miller (UNO) def. Virginia Hicks/Catherine Milwee (SHC); 16-21, 23-21, 15-10

Order of Finish: 4, 5, 3, 2, 1*


Spring Hill 4, Jacksonville State 1
1. Hannah Kirk/Charis Ludtke (JSU) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SHC); 21-12, 20-22, 15-10
2. Anna Tietjens/Dorina Klinger (SHC) def. Mackenzie Rombach/Ashley Clingan (JSU); 21-13, 21-8
3. Molly Griffin/Hannah Masoner (SHC) def. Allyson Zuhlke/Kira Hahn-Ventrell (JSU); 18-21, 21-9, 15-7
4. Sara Brodner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) def. Amanda Eberle/Anna Katherine O'Leary (JSU); 21-16, 21-6
5. Virginia Hicks/Catherine Milwee (SHC) def. Jordan Moorer/Hope Gaskin (JSU); 21-9, 21-14

Order of finish: 5, 4, 2*, 3, 1

"We were very proud of the team effort today," said SHC coach Shawn Taylor after the matches. "We had a strong wind this morning and it took us awhile to adjust, so we found ourself down early in a lot of the matches versus UNO. We fought hard and altered our style a bit. It would have been easy for us to fold, so I'm happy that we battled back and came away with the team win.

"Against Jacksonville State, the wind died down and allowed us to play a style that we are a little more accustom. Our Number 4s, Caroline and Sara, and our Number 5s, Ginny and Cat, got us off to a great start with wins in two sets. We were then able to pick up up wins at Number 2 and Number 3 to clinch the match. When we play loose, aggressive and are on the attack, we're a fun team to watch play."

The Badgers (6-10) will next play the host UAB (UAB) Blazers on Sunday at 10 a.m. followed by Lincoln Memorial University at 1 p.m.