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Beach Volleyball Finalizes 2023 Schedule
Beach Volleyball  . 

Beach Volleyball Finalizes 2023 Schedule

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina beach volleyball head coach Moritz Moritz announced the Gamecocks’ spring schedule, the 10th season of competition for the program. Across the 30-game schedule, the Gamecocks will face eight of the 16 teams that made up the 2022 NCAA tournament field and 12 matches against teams that finished last season ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) Top-20 poll.

The Gamecocks are coming off a 20-12 record in 2022, the sixth consecutive full season with at least 20 wins, and the team is on a streak of 59 polls in a row ranked nationally. Individually, three Gamecocks who won 20 matches return to the lineup – Lauren Wilcock, Kaeli Crews and Hannah Mackenhausen – and in the offseason the roster was bolstered by another strong recruiting class and a trio of  transfers – Allison Coens (LSU), Rebeca Olariu (College of Charleston) and Simone Priebe (Pepperdine).

The season opens on the road with the Seminole Beach Bash, hosted by Florida State. The first day of competition features duals against Cal Poly and FIU on Saturday, Feb. 25, with duals against Washington and the host Seminoles on Saturday.

Cal Poly

  • Cal Poly leads the all-time series, 2-0 ( Since 2019). In the last meeting, the Mustangs won, 4-1 (February 22, 2020).
  • Both previous meetings between the two sides have come in opening game of the season, coincidentally both were also played in Tallahassee.
  • Cal Poly finished the 2022 season ranked 10th nationally, qualifying for the NCAA tournament and finishing with a 23-17 overall record.

FIU

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 6-5 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 4-1 (February 27, 2021).
  • The Gamecocks won four straight in the series, from 2016-17, then have split the last four meetings.
  • FIU finished the 2022 season ranked 16th nationally with a 22-11 overall record.

Washington

  • This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
  • South Carolina is no stranger to PAC-12 competition, Washington will be the fifth member of the conference the Gamecocks have faced all-time and is one of three PAC-12 schools on the schedule this spring. The Gamecocks have a combined record of 5-5 against PAC-12 schools in program history.
  • Washington finished 12-20 in 2022 under a new head coach, in the fall their top pair finished fourth overall at the AVCA Pairs National Championship.

Florida State

  • Florida State leads the all-time series, 18-0 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Seminoles won, 5-0 (March 19, 2022).
  • The Seminoles have won the CCSA conference championship all six years that the tournament was held.
  • Florida State finished the 2022 season ranked 2nd nationally, falling in the national championship to Southern Cal, with a 33-11 overall record.

Week two has the team traveling out west for the Tiger Beach Challenge, hosted by LSU. The two-day tournament features three matches on day one, capped by a night game against the host Tigers. The Gamecocks will face two opponents for the first time, North Alabama on March 4 and Southeastern Louisiana on March 5.

UAB

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 10-1 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 3-2 (April 2, 2022).
  • The Gamecocks have won five games in a row over the Blazers.
  • UAB finished the 2022 season with a 17-18 overall record.

North Alabama

  • This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
  • The Lions compete in the ASUN Conference.
  • UNA finished the 2022 season with a 16-14 overall record, a program record for most wins in a single season.

LSU

  • LSU leads the all-time series, 13-2 (Since 2014). In the last meeting, LSU won 5-0 (April 29, 2022).
  • South Carolina has made four trips to Baton Rouge in the all-time series, most recently in 2021.
  • LSU finished the 2022 season ranked 5th nationally, qualifying for the NCAA tournament and finishing with a 32-12 overall record.

Central Arkansas

  • South Carolina is 1-0 in the all-time series; the two teams met for the first time last season with the Gamecocks winning 5-0 on March 4.
  • The Bears compete in the ASUN Conference.
  • Central Arkansas finished the 2022 season with a 17-16 overall record.

Southeastern Louisiana

  • This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
  • Southeastern is starting up year four and will lean on three seniors who finished 2022 with 20 wins as individuals.
  • The Lions finished the 2022 season with a 12-21 overall record.

The spring’s first home weekend will be March 10-11 with the Carolina Challenge. The Gamecock play at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and 11 and 3 on Saturday, renewing three regional rivalries and starting the weekend with their first meeting ever with Stephen F. Austin.

Stephen F. Austin

  • This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
  • SFA is joining the Sun Belt Conference for the 2023 season, moving over from the ASUN.
  • The Lady Jacks finished the 2022 season with a 14-20 overall record.

Stetson

  • Stetson leads the all-time series, 8-3 ( Since 2016). In the last meeting, the Hatters won, 3-2 (April 1, 2022).
  • The Hatters have won four games in a row after the Gamecocks took three of the previous four matchups. Stetson is 4-0 on Wheeler Beach; overall the home team in the series holds just a 1-6 record.
  • Stetson finished the 2022 season ranked 14th nationally, qualifying for the NCAA tournament with a 23-17 overall record.

Tulane

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 11-3 (Since 2015). In the last meeting, Tulane beat the Gamecocks in the CCSA conference tournament with a 3-2 win on April 28, snapping a six-game losing streak.
  • Tulane added a pair of veteran transfers (Molly Ebertin, USC and Abby Jackson, FAU) to a roster that is already loaded with eight returning starters who were in the team’s postseason lineup.
  • The Wave finished the 2022 season with a 24-13 overall record and were receiving votes for the AVCA top-20 rankings.

UNCW

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 11-0 ( Since 2016). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 4-1 (April 9, 2022).
  • The Seahawks made a splash in their first season with the ASUN Conference, winning 25 games as a team and returning five individuals who won 20 or more matches in 2022.
  • UNCW finished the 2022 season with a 25-11 overall record. The win total set a program record.

Back on the road for week four, the Gamecocks will face their deepest field of the spring with The March to May tournament in Gulf Shores, Ala. Along with facing UAB and Florida State for the second time, South Carolina also takes on 2021 national champion UCLA, Loyola Marymount and Mercer over the three-day weekend.

UCLA

  • UCLA won the first and only previous meeting, defeating the Gamecocks 5-0 on March 31, 2018.
  • South Carolina is no stranger to PAC-12 competition, UCLA is the fifth member of the conference the Gamecocks have faced all-time and is one of three PAC-12 schools on the schedule this spring. The Gamecocks have a combined record of 5-5 against PAC-12 schools in program history.
  • UCLA finished the 2022 season ranked 3rd nationally, reaching NCAA tournament semifinal and finishing with a 34-9 overall record.

UAB

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 10-1 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 3-2 (April 2, 2022).
  • The Gamecocks have won five games in a row over the Blazers.
  • UAB finished the 2022 season with a 17-18 overall record.

LMU

  • Loyola Marymount won the first and only previous meeting, defeating the Gamecocks 5-0 on March 8, 2020.
  • The Lions have enjoyed back-to-back 30-win seasons and return four women who started for them in the NCAA tournament.
  • LMU finished the 2022 season ranked 4th nationally, reaching NCAA tournament semifinal and finishing with a 32-9 overall record.

Florida State

  • Florida State leads the all-time series, 18-0 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Seminoles won, 5-0 (March 19, 2022).
  • The Seminoles have won the CCSA conference championship all six years that the tournament was held.
  • Florida State finished the 2022 season ranked 2nd nationally, falling in the national championship to Southern Cal, with a 33-11 overall record.

Mercer

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 8-1 ( Since 2014). Mercer won the first meeting in the series, 3-2, but have only taken three points total in the eight ensuing wins for the Gamecocks.
  • The Gamecocks have swept the last four meetings with the Bears, including three wins during the 2022 season.
  • The Bears finished the 2022 season with a 7-27 overall record.

The team closes out March with the Gamecock Grand Slam. The Gamecock play at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, headlined by a Sunday afternoon showdown with regional rival Georgia State to close out the weekend.

Houston Christian

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 3-0 ( Since 2019). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 4-1 (March 21, 2021).
  • This is the first meeting between the two teams that won’t be at a neutral location.
  • Houston Christian finished the 2022 season with a 14-22 overall record and return both members of its two winningest pairs from last spring.

Arizona State

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 2-1 ( Since 2015). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 3-2 (March 31, 2019).
  • The Sun Devils are one of three PAC-12 schools on the schedule this spring. The Gamecocks have a combined record of 5-5 against PAC-12 schools in program history.
  • Arizona State finished with a 17-15 record in 2022, the second-most wins in a season in program history, and return four of its top five individuals based on wins from last spring.

Tampa

  • South Carolina won the first and only previous meeting between the two sides, winning 5-0 on Feb. 23, 2019.
  • The Spartans faced 11 nationally ranked opponents in 2022 and return three individuals who won 15 or more matches last spring.
  • Tampa finished 17-15 in 2022 and placed third in the AVCA Small College Championship tournament.

Georgia State

  • Georgia State leads the all-time series, 9-7 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Panthers won, 3-2 (April 15, 2022).
  • The Panthers had perhaps the best season in program history in 2022 and return six starters from their NCAA tournament run, including the Ferary sisters and their 37-2 season record as a pair.
  • Georgia State finished the 2022 season ranked 7th nationally, falling in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament, with a 28-13 overall record.

After an open weekend, the Gamecocks make a return trip to Georgia State for the Diggin’ Duals tournament in Atlanta. Along with rematches against three regional rivals, South Carolina will also take on UT Martin for the first time.

UAB

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 10-1 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 3-2 (April 2, 2022).
  • The Gamecocks have won five games in a row over the Blazers.
  • UAB finished the 2022 season with a 17-18 overall record.

Stetson

  • Stetson leads the all-time series, 8-3 ( Since 2016). In the last meeting, the Hatters won, 3-2 (April 1, 2022).
  • The Hatters have won four games in a row after the Gamecocks took three of the previous four matchups. Stetson is 4-0 on Wheeler Beach; overall the home team in the series holds just a 1-6 record.
  • Stetson finished the 2022 season ranked 14th nationally, qualifying for the NCAA tournament with a 23-17 overall record.

Georgia State

  • Georgia State leads the all-time series, 9-7 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Panthers won, 3-2 (April 15, 2022).
  • The Panthers had perhaps the best season in program history in 2022 and return six starters from their NCAA tournament run, including the Ferary sisters and their 37-2 season record as a pair.
  • Georgia State finished the 2022 season ranked 7th nationally, falling in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament, with a 28-13 overall record.

UT Martin

  • This is the first meeting between the two programs.
  • The Skyhawks return six starters from their NCAA tournament team, including individual wins leader Kayla Carrell (24-1 in the fourth flight).
  • UT Martin finished the 2022 season with a 17-9 record and won the Ohio Valley Conference auto-bid to the NCAA tournament before falling to the eventual national champion Southern Cal in the first round.

The regular season closes out at home with the Palmetto Invitational, April 14-15. The Gamecocks will be put to the test against four long-standing regional rivals; Friday April 14 the team hosts FGCU and Coastal Carolina and Saturday’s final day pits the team against Jacksonville and College of Charleston. The program will celebrate its senior class on the 14th with a ceremony before the 5:30 dual with the Chanticleers.

FGCU

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 4-2 ( Since 2016). In the last meeting, the Eagles won, 3-2 (April 15, 2022).
  • FGCU returns both members from its top three pairs from last season, where it set a program record with 29 wins.
  • The Eagles finished the 2022 season ranked 20th nationally, finishing with a 29-9 overall record.

Coastal Carolina

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 11-0 ( Since 2016). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 4-1 (April 16, 2022).
  • The Chanticleers return three of their four individual wins leaders, each went for 20 or more.
  • Coastal Carolina finished the 2022 season with an 18-16 overall record.

Jacksonville

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 6-2 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 5-0 (April 1, 2022).
  • The Dolphins were the first opponent the Gamecocks ever defeated, as South Carolina opened the all-time series with a 3-2 win on March 8, 2014.
  • Jacksonville finished the 2022 season with an 10-27 overall record.

College of Charleston

  • South Carolina leads the all-time series, 15-2 ( Since 2014). In the last meeting, the Gamecocks won, 5-0 (April 15, 2022).
  • The Cougars will be stocked with returning talent, with six starters with 20 or more wins in 2022 are back on the sand this spring.
  • Charleston finished the 2022 season with a 22-13 overall record.

Dates for the CCSA tournament this season are April 27-29, again hosted in Huntsville, Ala. and the NCAA tournament will be May 6-8 in Gulf Shores, Ala.

The team is looking to build momentum after a strong fall exhibition season. It started Oct. 8 with an all-day pairs tournament at home, hosting UNCW, College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina, with a combined 28-4 record for the Gamecocks. The team hit the road next, traveling to Huntsville Oct. 28-29 for the Collegiate Beach Bash and a field of over 75 pairs and 10 teams. The larger field didn’t slow down the team’s success, South Carolina finished the two-day tournament with a 39-15 record – the win total and win percentage led all teams in attendance.

The team split up for the final weekend of the fall, as the AVCA hosted the first-ever Collegiate Pairs National Championship Nov. 4-6, also in Huntsville. The Gamecocks received two bids for the tournament, sending Skylar Allen and Simone Priebe in one pair and Kaeli Crews and Hannah Mackenhausen in the other. Allen and Priebe finished 11th overall in the field of 64 pairs, Crews and Mackenhausen placed 50th.

This spring, attendance at home matches on Wheeler Beach is again open to the general public. Fan entrance is only permitted on the north side of the facility through the main gate and only teams and game-day personnel are permitted on the sand surface.

For continued updates on the team, follow the Gamecocks on Twitter and Instagram.

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