Gamecocks Drop Sunday Doubleheader
The team had its chances, but fell to No. 7 and No. 3 Florida State
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – South Carolina beach volleyball lost two tight duals to nationally ranked foes on Sunday afternoon, capping its weekend at the Home2 Suites Hilton-Tallahassee State Capitol Invitational, hosted by Florida State. The Gamecocks (1-3) lost to No. 7 LSU (4-0), 3-2, and dropped a 4-1 decision to the third-ranked Seminoles (4-1).
In the opener against the Tigers, the Gamecocks split the first wave of matches with a three-set win from Caroline Skaff and Avery Davis at the fives, but LSU countered with three-set win of their own in the fourth flight. A tight loss at number three, 21-19, 21-19, put LSU ahead, and it would clinch the win with a sweep at the top position. Lydia Dimke and Katie Smith would sweep their match at the twos for the 3-2 final team tally.
Three-set matches were again the big story in the tournament finale versus Florida State. South Carolina grabbed momentum early with opening set wins at four and five, but the Seminoles came back to win both matches in three sets (15-13 at No. 4, 16-14 at No. 5). The Seminole’s advantage would be too much to overcome in the loss, despite another stellar sweep from Dimke and Smith (21-15, 22-20) in the second position.
“I’m proud of the way we competed today and especially the improvements and adjustments from yesterday to today,” head coach Moritz Moritz said. “Every one of our pairs took a step forward in recognizing changes we need to make to evolve into the team that we know we are capable of becoming. Our 4s and 5s really came out strong today, Lydia and Katie came through with some big wins and as a whole the team got better. It’s not going to get any easier throughout the season and these are the challenges we need.”
It will be a short turnaround before the rematches with both of Sunday’s opponent – the Gamecocks will face LSU and Florida State along with FAU and UAB at the Burrow Beach Bash next weekend, running Friday and Saturday.
RESULTS
#7 LSU 3, #9 South Carolina 2
1. Claire Coppola/Kristen Nuss (LSU) def. Cadie Bates/Shannon Williams (SC) 21-13, 21-14
2. Lydia Dimke/Katie Smith (SC) def. Olivia Powers/Ashlyn Rasnick-Pope (LSU) 21-19, 21-14
3. Toni Rodriguez/Kelli Agnew (LSU) def. Franky Harrison/Carly Schnieder (SC) 21-19, 21-19
4. Taryn Kloth/Maddie Ligon (LSU) def. Jess Vastine/Hannah Edelman (SC) 21-15, 15-21, 15-11
5. Caroline Skaff/Avery Davis (SC) def. Allison Coens/Hunter Domanski (LSU) 18-21, 21-17, 15-11
Ext. Lauryn Gillis/AJ Baumann (SC) vs. Kahlee York/Ashley Allmer (LSU) 9-21, 21-17, unfinished
Order of Finish: 4,5,3,1,2
#3 Florida State 4, #9 South Carolina 1
1. Payton Rund/Brooke Kuhlman (FS) def. Cadie Bates/Shannon Williams (SC) 21-18, 21-15
2. Lydia Dimke/Katie Smith (SC) def. Alaina Chacon/Madison Fitzpatrick (FS) 21-15, 22-20
3. Molly McBain/Kate Privett (FS) def. Franky Harrison/Carly Schnieder (SC) 21-19, 21-9
4. Sara Putt/Payton Caffrey (FS) def. Jess Vastine/Hannah Edelman (SC) 19-21, 21-12, 15-13
5. Macy Jerger/Ali Eager (FS) def. Caroline Skaff/Avery Davis (SC) 15-21, 21-15, 16-14
Ext. Nikki Esposito/Morgan Chacon (FS) vs. Lauryn Gillis/AJ Baumann (SC) 22-20, 19-21, unfinished
Order of Finish: 5,4,3,2,1
