Gamecocks Wrap up Opening Weekend at Seminole Beach Bash

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – South Carolina beach volleyball dropped both Sunday matches in the final day of the Seminole Beach Bash tournament. The Gamecocks (1-3) lost 3-2 to No. 16 TCU (2-2), and were swept by host Florida State (7-0), 5-0.
 
A storyline from Saturday was Carolina’s results in three-set matches, losing five between duals with Cal Poly and Houston Baptist, and the trend continued Sunday against TCU. The two teams split the first results, with the Frogs sweeping on court one but the Gamecocks countering with a 21-15, 21-14 sweep from Madison Brabham and Hannah Edelman at the fourth flight. Freshman Skylar Allen and senior Katie Smith earned their first win of the season as a pair with a 21-15, 21-16 decision on court two that gave South Carolina a chance at the team win. TCU pulled out the win with three-set decisions at the third and fifth pairings to flip the score in their favor and clinch the dual.
 
In the final dual of the weekend, the Gamecocks drew the No. 2-ranked Seminoles. Florida State was in control on four courts, but Jess Vastine and Carly Schnieder battled tough in the number two position. The duo played deuce sets, but came up short in 22-20 and 24-22 decisions. The Seminoles earned their sixth win of the weekend with the 5-0 final.
 
Next up for South Carolina will be a trip to the Low Country for the Hilton Head Island Invitational. The Gamecocks bring some of the very best talent in the country to Coligny Beach, hosting Southern Cal, Grand Canyon, Charleston and Florida State for a tournament that runs Feb. 29 to March 1. All duals will be held at the Tiki Hut (1 S Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928) and admission is free for fans. Stay tuned to GamecocksOnline.com for more information over the coming days.
 
RESULTS
#16 TCU 3, #13 South Carolina 2
1. Daniela Alvarez/Olivia Beyer (TCU) def. Jess Vastine/Carly Schnieder (SC) 21-16, 21-15
2. Skylar Allen/Katie Smith (SC) def. Rochelle Scott/Jensyn Bledsoe (TCU) 21-15, 21-16
3. Taylor Bradley/Trinity Cavanaugh (TCU) def. Franky Harrison/Avery Davis (SC) 17-21, 21-10, 16-14
4. Madison Brabham/Hannah Edelman (SC) def. Hailey Brockett/Avery Arellano (TCU) 21-15, 21-14
5. Haven Hill/Jordan Westendorff (TCU) def. Kaeli Crews/Whitley Ballard (SC) 21-17, 19-21, 15-11
Order of finish: Doubles (1,4,2,3,5*)
 
#2 Florida State 5, #16 South Carolina 0
1. Molly McBain/Alaina Chacon (FS) def. Skylar Allen/Katie Smith (SC) 21-14, 21-11
2. Alice Zeimann/Madison Fitzpatrick (FS) def. Jess Vastine/Carly Schnieder (SC) 22-20, 24-22
3. Kate Privett/Maddie Anderson (FS) def. Madison Brabham/Hannah Edelman (SC) 21-15, 21-10
4. Payton Caffrey/Liz Waters-Leiga (FS) def. Franky Harrison/Avery Davis (SC) 21-17, 21-9
5. Jenna Johnson/Keara Rutz (FS) def. Morgyn Greer/Jordan Smith (SC) 21-17, 21-17
Order of finish: Doubles (4,3,1*,5,2)