April 16, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Closing out their spring practice period, the South Carolina Gamecocks head to the third Southeastern Conference Coaches Beach Volleyball Championship looking to defend their title from last season.

The Gamecocks won the crown last year, getting two teams to the semifinals in the silver bracket and another into gold finals. While the duo who claimed the silver bracket have departed, South Carolina brings back the two-time finalists in the gold bracket. Rising seniors Jordan Bradosky and Hannah Lawing both look to break through and capture that crown.

Three other tandems from South Carolina will compete. Rising sophomores Christina Glover and Lindsey Roy form an intriguing group, while Illinois natives Megan Laughlin and Taylor Bruns will team up and could be a force. Laughlin made it to the silver semis last year. The final pairing puts rising junior Teresa Stenlund and rising sophomore Brandi Byers together in what could be the tallest team in the event.

Five other SEC schools will participate in the tourney, as Alabama, Florida, the first champion Georgia, LSU and Tennessee all take part. In the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship, nine Division I squads and four other schools will vie for the title.

Pool play starts at 10 a.m. on Siesta Key Beach, with the awards ceremony scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.