MOBILE, Ala. — The Ave Maria Beach Volleyball team dropped three conference matches in their weekend trip to the Yellowhammer State, falling to William Carey, No. 9 Mobile and RV Loyola. The Gyrenes fell 1-4 to William Carey while taking two flights from each of the national recognized teams losing 2-3 to both Mobile and Loyola.

The weekend started on Friday against William Carey. Ryan Getz and Adriana Bravo scored the one point for the Gyrenes, winning 21-17, 16-21, 16-14 in the second flight. In the third flight, Beatriz Rissi and Greta Heiney also won a set to force a third set but fell in the final frame 15-13.

The Gyrenes returned to the sand in the afternoon to take on the host Mobile Rams. This match was closer with Ave Maria taking two of five flights. Again, the duo of Getz and Bravo found their way onto the board, winning in two straight sets 21-11, 21-19. Joining them was the top pair of Ines Lopes and Emily Child, winning their flight 21-18, 21-16. The Rams won the third and fourth flights, so it came down to the final pairing which went to a third set. Abbey Grose and Elle Malczewski put up a tough fight, but fell 15-11 in the final frame, securing the match for the Rams.

Ave Maria looked to salvage the weekend on Saturday, taking on the RV Loyola Wolf Pack. However, the Gyrenes could only get two flights to fall their way as the Wolf Pack won 3-2. The lineups shifted on Saturday with Lopes and Bravo teaming up in the top flight winning 14-21, 21-12, 15-7. In the fifth flight, Kate Lyons and DeAnna Barrett got their first win, beating the Wolf Pack opponents 21-14, 21-19.

With the three losses, Ave Maria falls to 1-4 on the year and 1-3 in conference play. The Gyrenes are home for their next six matches between Tuesday, March 11, and Saturday, March 15. Ave Maria hosts NCAA Division II schools Barry and Eckerd Tuesday. Friday begins a two-day round robin among four other Sun Conference teams and the Gyrenes. Coming to Ave Maria will be St. Andrews, RV Truett McConnell, Spartanburg Methodist, and Brenau. Both Spartanburg Methodist and Brenau are new to the Sun Conference in 2025, which now has 13 beach volleyball members.