Gamecocks Claim Historic Win to Close Weekend Tournament
The team defeated No. 4 LSU Saturday morning
BOCA RATON, FLA. – Gamecock beach volleyball recorded a historic win on Saturday, taking down No. 4 LSU, 3-2, at the Burrow Beach Bash tournament at FAU. It’s the program’s first victory ever against a top-five opponent, and is the first win over a ranked opponent this season. Overall, Carolina split the final day of the tournament, losing to No. 5 Florida State to move to 3-5 overall (2-4 CCSA).
Just under a week removed from losing a 3-2 decision to LSU, the Gamecocks were able to come through in the clutch to get the win Saturday. Jess Vastine and Hannah Edelman got a key win early, rallying back from a first-set loss to win in three at the fourth flight, 18-21, 21-18, 15-8. The win helped South Carolina split the opening wave, but LSU took the 2-1 lead after sweeping the ones matchup. Lydia Dimke and Katie Smith tied the dual at 2-2 behind a convincing 21-15, 21-19 win on court two, leaving it up to the team of Franky Harrison and Carly Schnieder to deliver the win.
After a first-set win, the Gamecocks dropped the second 21-17 to push it to a third set. Harrison and Schnieder took a modest lead early and were able to sideout well, keeping LSU from making a comeback. Harrison put away the winning kill at 15-13, marking the second time the Gamecocks have ever beaten the Tigers.
The team ran out of gas with a quick turnaround into its dual with Florida State, dropping a 5-0 decision to the fifth-ranked Seminoles. Dimke and Smith had the best chance at a win among the five pairs, but lost in three sets at number two (21-19, 16-21, 8-15).
Next up for the Gamecocks will be an in-state day trip to Myrtle Beach. The team faces Coastal Carolina and UNCW on Saturday, March 9 at 10 a.m. and noon, respectively.
RESULTS
#10 South Carolina 3, #4 LSU 2
1. Kristen Nuss/Claire Coppola (LSU) def. Cadie Bates/Shannon Williams (SC) 21-17, 21-18
2. Lydia Dimke/Katie Smith (SC) def. Olivia Powers/Ashlyn Rasnick-Pope (LSU) 21-15, 21-19
3. Franky Harrison/Carly Schnieder (SC) def. Toni Rodriguez/Kelli Agnew (LSU) 21-17, 17-21, 15-13
4. Jess Vastine/Hannah Edelman (SC) def. Taryn Kloth/Megan Davenport (LSU) 18-21, 21-18, 15-8
5. Allison Coens/Hunter Domanski (LSU) def. Caroline Skaff/Avery Davis (SC) 20-22, 21-15, 15-11
Ext. Ashley Allmer/Kahlee York (LSU) def. Lauryn Gillis/Whitley Ballard (SC) 21-12, 21-17
Order of finish: 4,5,1,2,3
#5 Florida State 5, #10 South Carolina 0
1. Payton Rund/Brooke Kuhlman (FS) def. Bates/Williams (SC) 21-18, 22-20
2. Alaina Chacon/Madison Fitzpatrick (FS) def. Dimke/Smith (SC) 19-21, 21-16, 15-8
3. Molly McBain/Kate Privett (FS) def. Schnieder/Harrison (SC) 21-8, 21-12
4. Sara Putt/Payton Caffrey (FS) def. Vastine/Edelman (SC) 21-16, 21-12
5. Jenna Johnson/Macy Jerger (FS) def. Skaff/Davis (SC) 21-16, 21-14
Ext. Ballard/Gillis (SC) def. Lexi McKeown/Marielle Diaz (FS) 21-18, 21-18
Order of finish: 5,4,3,1,2
