The ULM beach volleyball team (2-0) started the 2025 season with 5-0 wins over Carson-Newman (0-2) and Wingate (0-2) on Feb. 21 at the Coastal Beach Volley Complex in Conway, South Carolina.
ULM controlled both matches and won most sets with ease. Freshman Gracie Behneke and Zsa Zsa Ferguson picked up wins in their collegiate debut, while junior Claire Williamson and Abby Ryno clinched both match wins in pair two.
ULM’s new head coach Baylee Young earned her first career wins with the program. Young joined ULM after coaching at Webber International, where she led the team to consecutive NAIA Beach Volleyball National Championship appearances. She also competed as a player at Houston Baptist, gaining firsthand experience at the Division I level. Young has already made an impact on the team’s energy.
“We have a new coach this year and she has been more than gracious to us for training us this season,” junior blocker Kaitlyn Beck said. “We have seen so much change in our program as in our energy, our positivity and our work ethic.”
With a strong start, the team looks to build on last year’s performance. ULM concluded last season with an overall record of 16-19 and a conference record of 1-5. They won seven out of eight home games, showing home-court advantage at ULM Beach Volleyball Courts.
After last season’s ups and downs, ULM recruited four new players to its rosters. These newcomers will join 12 returning players, bringing the total roster to 16 athletes.
“We have four new freshmen, and all four of them are amazing,” Beck said. “They’re super hard-working, and they brought a lot of skills to our team.”
Beck also mentioned about the areas for improvement despite a strong start.
“Our team lacks in size, so because of that, we have to play with better IQ, be more scrappy, and be more aggressive,” Beck said. “Because we don’t have the height we had last year.”
According to Beck, the Warhawks aim to push themselves beyond just wins and losses this year. They plan to focus on effort and commitment in every match.
ULM looks to carry its momentum into the Tiger Beach Challenge in Baton Rouge from Feb. 28 to March 1.
