March 20, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina sand volleyball team earned its fifth-straight victory, defeating Arizona State 4-1 on Friday night at the Carolina Sand Volleyball Complex.
The Gamecocks, who defeated Carson-Newman 5-0 earlier in the day, improve to 9-2 on the season, including a 4-0 mark at home. Carolina is now 2-0 all-time against Pac-12 schools, including a win over Oregon last season. Arizona State falls to 1-4 on the year.
“We are super excited for each step that we are taking,” South Carolina head coach Moritz Moritz said. “But the priority remains to be taking it one dual at a time and really focusing on the task at hand. Right now the most important thing is focusing on how we strive to get better. There are a lot of quality opponents remaining on our schedule, and we are excited for the opportunity to compete each time we can.”
Carolina got off to a strong start, as it’s No. 4 pair of Jade Hayes and Macie Tendrich put the Gamecocks up 1-0 by defeating Arizona State’s Whitney Follette and Halle Harker 21-15 and 21-19.
The Sun Devils bounced back to tie the dual at 1-1 with a win in the No. 2 pairs match. Bianca Arellano and Macey Gardner squeezed by Carolina’s Paige Wheeler and Megan Kent in three sets by the scores of 19-21, 23-21 and 15-8.
The Gamecocks’ No. 5 pair of KoKo Atoa-Williams and Allie Monserez gave Carolina a 2-1 lead as they took down Arizona State’s Andi Lowrance and Frances Giedraitis, 21-14 and 21-17.
In the No. 1 pairs match, Carolina’s Maddie Frome and Julia Mannisto clinched the win for the Gamecocks by topping Bethany Jorgensen and Jordy Checkal by the scores of 21-19 and 21-19.
Carolina’s No. 3 pair of Sarah Blomgren and Jade Vitt capped the night with a win over McKenzie Willey and Sydney Palmer by the scores of 21-19 and 22-20, giving the Gamecocks the 4-1 victory.
The Gamecocks return to action on Saturday with duals against Tulane (11:30 a.m.) and No. 4 Florida State (7 p.m.) at the Carolina Sand Volleyball Complex. The dual with the Seminoles will be streamed live on the SEC Network+ digital platform.
Results
South Carolina 4, Arizona State 1
No. 1: Maddie Frome/Julia Mannisto (SC) def. Bethany Jorgensen/Jordy Checkal (ASU) 21-19, 21-19
No. 2: Bianca Arellano/Macey Gardner (ASU) def. Paige Wheeler/Megan Kent (SC) 19-21, 23-21, 15-8
No. 3: Sarah Blomgren/Jade Vitt (SC) def. McKenzie Willey/Sydney Palmer (ASU) 21-19, 22-20
No. 4: Jade Hayes/Macie Tendrich (SC) def. Whitney Follette/Halle Harker (ASU) 21-15, 21-19
No. 5: KoKo Atoa-Williams/Allie Monserez (SC) def. Andi Lowrance/Frances Giedraitis (ASU) 21-14, 21-17
