Spartans Finish Fourth at AVCA Small College Beach Championships
Finishing the weekend 3-2, the University of Tampa beach volleyball program took home fourth place at the AVCA Small College Beach Championships.
TAVARES, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball team finished fourth in their first-ever appearance at the AVCA Small College Beach Championships. After an outstanding performance on the first day of competition, Tampa struggled today, losing to Eckerd College 4-1 and then to Spring Hill College 3-2.
In the first dual against Eckerd College, the only partners that were able to get a win for Tampa were Alexandra Misca and Sarah Moore at the fives position. The duo won in three sets, falling in the first 21-14, but then bouncing back to win the second two, 21-19, 15-9. This marked the third time that UT faced Eckerd this season, never having come away with a win.
At noon, the Spartans then played the Spring Hill College Badgers for third place. Although it was a close match, the Badgers were able to defeat the Spartans 3-2. Once again, Misca and Moore earned a point for UT, winning their matchup in two by set scores of 21-14 and 21-15. Tampa's second win came on the ones court from the freshmen duo of Sorrel Houghton and Melissa Elias. Houghton and Elias defeated the Badgers in three sets, winning the first 21-14, losing the second 18-21, and then stealing the third 15-12. The dual between the Badgers and Spartans marked the first meeting in program history.
DUAL 1
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa Spartans 1, Eckerd Tritons 4
Records: Tampa (12-9), Eckerd College (17-5)
Location: AVCA Small College Beach Championships | Hickory Point Beach | Tavares, Fla.
Time: 10:00 a.m.
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MATCH RESULTS:
1. Paula Hoffman/Kaitlyn Sibson (EC) def. Melissa Elias / Sorrel Houghton (UT) 21-13, 21-16
2. Savanna Cary/Mackenzie Render (EC) def. Gabbi Pacatte / Katie McKiel (UT) 21-18, 20-22, 15-13
3. Arielle Erillo/Madison Whiting (EC) def. Leigh Buttner / Nicole Dominguez (UT) 21-12, 25-23
4. Rachel Cornatzer/Jordan Duffy (EC) def. Nylah Demps / Taylor George (UT) 21-13, 21-16
5. Alexandra Misca / Sarah Moore (UT) def. Stephanie Bogda/Kali Boatwright (EC) 14-21, 21-19, 15-9
DUAL 2
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa Spartans 2, Spring Hill Badgers 3
Records: Tampa (12-10), Spring Hill (10-7)
Location: AVCA Small College Beach Championships | Hickory Point Beach |Tavares, Fla.
Time: 12:00 p.m.
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MATCH RESULTS:
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1. Sorrel Houghton / Melissa Elias (UT) def. Julie Vujnovich/Payton Gidney (SHC) 21-14, 18-21, 15-12 |
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2. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) def. Katie McKiel / Gabbi Pacatte (UT) 11-21, 21-18, 16-14 |
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3. Caroline Herrera/Allison Weimer (SHC) def. Nicole Dominguez / Leigh Buttner (UT)) 21-12, 21-15 |
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4. Catherine Milwee/Taylor Hurst (SHC) def. Nylah Demps / Taylor George (UT) 18-21, 21-13, 15-9 |
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5. Alexandra Misca / Sarah Moore (UT) def. Emmarose Neibert/Emily Sullivan (SHC) 21-14, 21-15 |
BEYOND THE BOX:
- At the AVCA Small College Beach Championships, partners Misca and Moore were the only pair for Tampa that went undefeated.
UP NEXT:
Tampa will host SSC rival, Florida Southern, on Tuesday, April 10th. First serve is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
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