MONROE, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University beach volleyball team dropped a pair of tight duals by identical 3-2 scores Friday, falling to New Orleans and Central Arkansas on the opening day of action at the ULM Beach Invitational.
 
Facing UNO (12-10) for the second time in as many contests, Southeastern picked up straight-set wins in both the fourth and fifth flights to open up the dual.
 
Ariana Hebert and Avery Carroll teamed up at No. 4 for a 21-16, 21-14 win. Mabry Ward and Eryn Wilks continued their winning ways at No. 5, claiming a 22-20, 21-11 win.  
 
With the dual coming down to the top two flights, the Beach Lions fell in three sets in both.
 
Against Central Arkansas (11-7), SLU (8-12) again picked up points in the fourth and fifth flights to open up the dual. Carroll and Hebert won 21-14, 21-15 at No. 4 while the duo of Ward and Wilks (15-1) were forced to three sets, 17-21, 21-15, 15-12.
 
In a repeat of the day's first contest, Southeastern dropped a pair of three-set matches as the dual came down to the top two flights.
 
SLU wraps up the two-day event against Mary Hardin-Baylor (5-19) at 11 a.m. and event-host ULM (7-14) at 5 p.m.
 
DIGGIN' IT CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern volleyball program are encouraged to join the Diggin' It Club. Lion volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diggin' It Club and S Club (volleyball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpBeach or @JWhiteSLU on Twitter, @LionUpBeach on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
RESULTS
New Orleans 3, Southeastern 2
1 . Pokorna, Lucie/Esarte, Ania (UNO) 2-1 Hidalgo, Jolie/Scuderi, Meagan (SLU) 19-21 21-19 15-10
2 . Walsh, Maxine/Volpi, Hannah (UNO) 2-1 Barosh, Hannah/Mirarchi, Michelle (SLU) 17-21 21-17 16-14
3 . Jackson, Trinity/Spartz, Alexa (UNO) 2-0 McGee, Jackie/Brewer, Hannah (SLU) 21-7 21-7
4 . Hebert, Ariana/Carroll, Avery (SLU) 2-0 Louviere, Taylore/Melerine, Hailey (UNO) 21-16 21-14
5 . Ward, Mabry/Wilks, Eryn (SLU) 2-0 Goolsby, Tara/Baumgart, Serena (UNO) 22-20 21-11
 
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2* Pair in bold indicates clinching point
 
Central Arkansas 3, Southeastern 2
1 . Hasness, Faith/Barbosa, Carol (UCA) 2-1 Hidalgo, Jolie/Scuderi, Meagan (SLU) 24-22 17-21 18-16
2 . Oravec, Julia/Sager, Kelsie (UCA) 2-1 Barosh, Hannah/Mirarchi, Michelle (SLU) 12-21 25-23 18-16
3 . Griffith, Evelyn/Garmon, Bria (UCA) 2-0 McGee, Jackie/Brewer, Hannah (SLU) 21-19 21-18
4 . Hebert, Ariana/Carroll, Avery (SLU) 2-0 Gepford, Ryenne/Atkinson, Katie (UCA) 21-14 21-15
5 . Ward, Mabry/Wilks, Eryn (SLU) 2-1 Sproule, Payton/Cook, Kayla (UCA) 17-21 21-15 15-12
 
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2* Pair in bold indicates clinching point