Beach Volleyball Wraps Up Weekend Tournament

CONWAY, S.C. – Gamecock beach volleyball (5-3, 3-2 CCSA) split a pair of Saturday duals at the Coastal Carolina Invitation, losing 3-2 to No. 16 Stetson (5-3) in the morning before rallying to end the weekend on a high note with a 5-0 sweep of College of Charleston (3-5). 
 
In a rematch of last Sunday’s showdown at Stetson, South Carolina was on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision this time around. The dual started well, with sweeps for Morgyn Greer and Carly Schnieder on court five and Jess Vastine and Jordan Smith at number four. For the third time this season, though, the Gamecocks were unable to close out after taking the 2-0 lead. Stetson won a quick straight-set match at number two, then overcame a first-set win for Katie Smith and Skylar Allen to win in three sets at number one. Closing the dual was a straight set win at number three.
 
The team rebounded to close the weekend the way it started it on Friday, with a sweep of the College of Charleston Cougars. In its first lineup tweak of the season, Kaeli Crews moved into the fifth pairing with Schnieder and recorded her first collegiate victory thanks to a 21-10, 21-16 score that opened dual. Smith and Vastine ran their season record to 8-0 after a 21-16, 21-9 win at number four and the team win was clinched by Madison Brabham and Hannah Mackenhausen at number three, 21-15, 21-16. Allen and Smith also enjoyed a sweep on the top flight, and Alyssa Keller and Abby Carroll capped the dual with a three-set win at number two.
 
UP NEXT
For the first time in what will end up being exactly 700 days, the Gamecocks will finally return to Wheeler Beach next weekend. They host the two-day Carolina Challenge March 13-14, featuring duals against Mercer and Southern Mississippi on Saturday and Jacksonville and Coastal Carolina on Sunday. Matches will be at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
 
Home tournaments will have a reduced seating capacity that does not allow for general admission this spring. Attendance will be limited to players, staff and family for South Carolina and visiting teams.
 
RESULTS
#16 Stetson 3, #13 South Carolina 2
1. Ana Costa/Carly Perales (STET) def. Skylar Allen/Katie Smith (SC) 13-21, 21-16, 15-12
2. Gabriella Bramante/Yasmin Kuck (STET) def. Alyssa Keller/Abby Carroll (SC) 21-18, 21-18
3. Shae Henson/Kamryn Johnson (STET) def. Madison Brabham/Hannah Mackenhausen (SC) 21-10, 21-14
4. Jess Vastine/Jordan Smith (SC) def. Madison Bobes/Brittany McLean (STET) 21-16, 21-14
5. Morgyn Greer/Carly Schnieder (SC) def. Alicia Harrington/Lauren Domel (STET) 21-15, 21-14
Ex. Peyton Gray/Sophie Manson (SC) def. Oda Stray Homme/Aleksandra Stadnik (STET) 19-21, 23-21, 15-11
Order of finish: Doubles (4,5,2,1,3*)
*-Deciding Point
 
#13 South Carolina 5, College of Charleston 0
1. Skylar Allen/Katie Smith (SC) def. Sky Benjamin/Rebecca Olariu (COFC) 21-18, 21-16
2. Alyssa Keller/Abby Carroll (SC) def. Ella Reames/Maria Zweig (COFC) 22-20, 15-21, 15-13
3. Madison Brabham/Hannah Mackenhausen (SC) def. Ella Ridinger/Kyra Thompson (COFC) 21-15, 21-16
4. Jess Vastine/Jordan Smith (SC) def. Mikaela Dougherty/Marie Martinsen (COFC) 21-16, 21-9
5. Kaeli Crews/Carly Schnieder (SC) def. Cat Schmid/Lily Johnson (COFC) 21-10, 21-16
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,3*,1,2)