HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University beach volleyball team will compete in the 2026 AVCA Pairs Championship Friday morning in Huntsville, Ala.
Senior Mia Sauers and junior Gabriela Hrubanova will partner to open serve Friday at 8 a.m. against No. 8 UCLA on court 10. Sophomore Cadie Kusy and California-Bakersfield transfer Emma Neville will also make an appearance in the sand for SLU at 11:45 a.m. versus No. 6 California on court 13. The two pairs are the first student-athletes in program history to represent the green and gold in the championship bracket under second-year head coach Angie Simpson.
"The AVCA Pairs Event is like the Wimbledon of college beach volleyball," stated Coach Simpson. "The opportunity to be here, and up against the best teams in the country, is such a great step forward for our pairs and our program."
Southeastern claimed its first automatic bid to the AVCA Beach National Championships after its historic run last season. The Lions finished 17-16 overall and 4-2 in Southland Conference play, breaking the program's record for the most single season wins. Kusy closed out the previous season with 20 wins alongside former pair four partner Makayla Hicks while being a SLC All-Conference selection (Second Team).
SLU stands amongst only 14 programs to have two qualified pairs compete in the Collegiate Beach Pairs National Championship. According to the AVCA, Southeastern joins Boise State, Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Georgia State, Grand Canyon, LSU, Missouri State, South Carolina, Stanford, Texas, Tulane, Chattanooga and UCLA.
The Lions are amid nationally ranked programs as Simpson spoke on the pairs' recognition, "You have to play the best to be the best."
All matches will be played in Huntsville, Ala. over the weekend while six matches will be streamed on ESPN+ and Youtube.
GOLDEN SAND CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern beach volleyball program are encouraged to join the Golden Sand Club. Lion beach volleyball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
All membership fees and donations to the Golden Sand Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern beach volleyball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.lionsports.net/sports/2026/1/29/golden-sand-club.aspx.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lady Lions Volleyball, follow @LionUpBeach on Twitter, @LionUpBeach on Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
