March 26, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina beach volleyball team earned a sweep on the first day of the Gamecock Invitational on Saturday at Wheeler Beach.
The Gamecocks improved to 12-4 on the year with victories over UAB and TCU and won eight out of 10 matches in straight sets.
Carolina started the day off with a 5-0 win over UAB. Jade Vitt and Delaney Wood put the Gamecocks on the board with a 21-15, 21-13 victory over Tress Buckland and Avei Logoleo at No. 4. Blomgren and Ezell added another point for South Carolina when they defeated Sara Rishell and Chelsi Carter 21-17, 19-21, 18-16 in the No. 2 position.
Erin Neuenfeldt and Lista Darby clinched the win for Carolina when they dropped Gabbi Moreno and Emily Martinez 21-16, 21-13.
At the No. 1 spot, Julia Mannisto and Shannon Williams downed Amber Treace and Zahria Richard 21-10, 21-13, and Macie Tendrich and Katie Reilly closed out the match when they edged Michaela Reesor and Avery Hoven 12-21, 21-17, 18-16 on the No. 3 court.
In the exhibition match, Katie McCormick and Lauren Percy topped Rachel Evans and Victoria Young 21-17, 21-18.
South Carolina finished the day with a 4-1 win over TCU. Blomgren and Ezell took the first point for the Gamecocks when they defeated Shane Peters and Olivia Canales 21-14, 21-15 at No. 2. Vitt and Wood followed with a 21-10, 21-12 victory over Blaire Pickens and Clare Ford in the No. 4 position.
Mannisto and Williams secured the win for Carolina when dropped Michelle McNamee and Sarita Mikals 21-18, 21-18 at the No. 1 flight.
Molly Sheel and Ariah Palter claimed the lone point for the Horned Frogs when they edged Neuenfeldt and Darby 21-16, 21-17 in the No. 5 position. Tendrich and Reilly outlasted Jaelyn Greene and Jillian Bergeson 25-23 at No. 3.
South Carolina is back in action on Sunday as they take on Carson-Newman at 1 p.m. and Jacksonville at 5 p.m.
Dual Results
South Carolina 5, UAB 0
1. Julia Mannisto/Shannon Williams (SC) def. Amber Treace/Zahria Richard (UAB) 21-10, 21-13
2. Sarah Blomgren/Aubrey Ezell (SC) def. Sara Rishell/Chelsi Carter (UAB) 21-17, 19-21, 15-9
3. Macie Tendrich/Katie Reilly (SC) def. Michaela Reesor/Avery Hoven (UAB) 12-21, 21-17, 18-16
4. Jade Vitt/Delaney Wood (SC) def. Tressa Buckland/Avei Logoleo (UAB) 21-15, 21-9
5. Erin Neuenfeldt/Litsa Darby (SC) def. Gabbi Moreno/Emily Martinez (UAB) 21-16, 21-13
Exh. Katie McCormick/Lauren Percy (SC) def. Rachel Evans/Victoria Young (UAB) 21-17, 21-18
South Carolina 4, TCU 1 1.Julia Mannisto/Shannon Williams (SC) def. Michelle McNamee/Sarita Mikals (TCU) 21-18, 21-18
2.Sarah Blomgren/Aubrey Ezell (SC) def. Shane Peters/Olivia Canales (TCU) 21-14, 21-15
3.Macie Tendrich/Katie Reilly (SC) def. Jaelyn Greene/Jillian Bergeson (TCU) 25-23, 21-18
4.Jade Vitt/Delaney Wood (SC) def. Blaire Pickens/Clare Ford (TCU) 21-10, 21-12
5.Molly Sheel/Ariah Palter (TCU) def. Erin Neuenfeldt/Lista Darby (SC) 21-16, 21-17
