No. 20 Gamecocks Earn Eighth Straight Win, Sweep Carolina Challenge

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 20 South Carolina beach volleyball team earned their eighth-straight win as they wrapped up the Carolina Challenge at Wheeler Beach. The Gamecocks swept the Dolphins 5-0 and defeated the Seahawks 4-1 to complete an undefeated weekend.

To kick off day two, the Gamecocks captured a first-set win across all courts against the Dolphins. The first wave of competition saw dominant performances from South Carolina, including Evie Ziffer and Julia Waugh winning their court 21-12, 21-13. Juju Quintero and Annalyse Askew had to battle back from dropping their second set 21-18, but in overtime, they jumped out to a quick 7-4 lead. Both teams traded points until 19-19, when two errors propelled South Carolina to claim the final frame, 21-19.

With a 2-0 overall lead, South Carolina maintained momentum, claiming first-set wins across all courts once again. Brooke Balue and Rachel Hartmann set the tone with a strong 21-12, 21-13 win from the first position. The Gamecock domination didn’t stop there as they claimed the rest of the courts thanks to Jolie Cranford and Peyton Yamagata grabbing a 21-11, 21-18 victory and the duo of Amelia Taft and Morgan Downs earning a 21-17, 21-13 win over the Dolphins.

In the final match of the weekend, the Gamecocks forced an overtime set on courts one and two as both pairs dropped their second sets. The fight was in full effect as Ziffer and Waugh jumped out to a 7-2 advantage from the number two position. They went on to pick up the win, 15-11, in the third frame. Quintero and Askew score three straight points to take a 7-6 lead in their third set, but the pair from UNCW ended up taking the point.

In the second wave, Amelia Taft and Morgan Downs got things started on court three, earning a first-set win and eventually the point for South Carolina. Pairs one and three joined in and claimed wins as well, solidifying the undefeated weekend for the Gamecocks.

No. 20 South Carolina 5, Jacksonville 0

1. Brooke Balue/Rachel Hartmann (SC) vs. Claire Mrukowski/Megan Hair (JU) 21-12, 21-13
2. Evie Ziffer/Julia Waugh (SC) def. Meredith Mrukowski/Avery Kleithermes (JU) 21-13, 21-12
3. Jolie Cranford/Peyton Yamagata (SC) vs. Jamie Seward/Brenna McDonough (JU) 21-11, 21-18
4. Juju Quintero/Annalyse Askew (SC) def. Morgan Perry/Katie Taylor (JU) 21-12, 18-21, 21-19
5. Amelia Taft/Morgan Downs (SC) vs. Maddie Fielder/Katie Marinez (JU) 21-17, 21-13
6. VB Trost/Grace Travis (SC) def. Emma Richey/Kyelynn Swink (JU) 21-17, 21-9

No. 20 South Carolina 4, UNCW 1

1. Brooke Balue/Rachel Hartmann (SC) vs. Gracie Sistrunk/Lyvia Trimp (UNCW) 24-22, 21-18
2. Evie Ziffer/Julia Waugh (SC) vs. Gabby LaPata/Hannah Parkinson (UNCW) 22-20, 18-21, 15-11
3. Jolie Cranford/Peyton Yamagata (SC) vs. Sarah Thompson/Traci Schrock (UNCW) 21-10, 21-15
4. Alivia Hamel/Sophie Puhala (UNCW) def. Juju Quintero/Annalyse Askew (SC) 21-14, 18-21, 15-13
5. Amelia Taft/Morgan Downs (SC) vs. Courtney Jensen/Keenen Engebretson (UNCW) 21-19, 21-11
6. Lauren Lawson/Sadie Nelson (SC) def. Addie Marinack/EmmesonBowles (UNCW) 21-16, 21-18