MIAMI, Fla. – Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) and Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) provided the Carson-Newman Eagles (0-12) their first ever match victory by defeating Chelsey Tekavec and Alyssa Warren of Florida Atlantic (7-4) 24-22, 15-21 and 15-21.On the first day of the Surf 'n Turf Tournament hosted by Florida International University, Stanford (4-1) defeated Carson-Newman 5-0 while Florida Atlantic topped the Eagles 4-1 at the FIU Sand Volleyball Courts.
"We had several teams win sets and we had another team win a match," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "It's great progress. I think the girls feel a little like Sisyphus. They've been working really hard and they can see the progress and how far they've come. Now, I just hope we can push that stone up to the top and keep it there. I think the next few days will determine if we can keep the stone at the top or we have to start over again."
Dual No. 1 - Stanford 5, Carson-Newman 0
In the No. 5 position, Eileen Anderson (Pittstown, N.J.) and Lindsey Wells (Morristown, Tenn.) played the most competitive match of the day falling 21-19 and 21-16 against Kelsey Humphreys and Catherine Raquel.
At the top, Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) were defeated by Lauren Birks and Brittany Howard 21-14 and 21-16 while the second duo of Fairley and Pickett lost to Mandi Bugg and Ivana Vanjak 21-9 and 21-19.
In the third position, Merte Lutz and Jordan Burgess of Stanford topped Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) and Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) 21-10 and 21-6 while the Cardinal duo of Inky Ajanaku and Grace Kennedy dropped Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) and Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) 21-16 and 21-15.
DUAL No. 1 RESULTS
Stanford 5, Carson-Newman 0
Lauren Birks/Brittany Howard (Stanford) def. Rachel Harper/Jenna Wilson (C-N) 21-14, 21-16
Mandi Bugg/Ivana Vanjak (Stanford) def. Sara Fairley/Kristen Pickett (C-N) 21-9, 21-19
Merete Lutz/Jordan Burgess (Stanford) def. Taylor Lowe/Anna Patton (C-N) 21-10, 21-6
Inky Ajanaku/Grace Kennedy (Stanford) def. Kiayna O'Neal/Morgan Harlan (C-N) 21-16, 21-15
Kelsey Humphreys/Catherine Raquel (Stanford) def. Eileen Anderson/Lindsey Wells (C-N) 21-19, 21-16
Dual No. 2 – Florida Atlantic 4, Carson-Newman 1
Mandy McIntosh and Beth Shoaff topped Harper and Wilson 21-17 and 21-11 in the top spot while Gabrielle Dischler and Delaney Clesen sprinted past Lowe and Patton 21-8 and 21-5 in the third position.
O'Neal and Harlan gave Brittany Pellitteri and Andrea Gallinis all they could handle in the No. 4 hole before falling 21-19 and 21-19 while Wells and Anderson fell in the fifth spot 21-11 and 21-8 to Gabrielle Pyle and Lexi Rhein.
DUAL No. 2 RESULTS
Florida Atlantic 4, Carson-Newman 1
Mandy McIntosh/Beth Shoaff (FAU) def. Rachel Harper/Jenna Wilson (C-N) 21-17, 21-11
Sara Fairley/Kristen Pickett (C-N) def. Chelsey Tekavec/Alyssa Warren (FAU) 24-22, 15-21 and 15-12
Gabrielle Dischler/Delaney Clesen (FAU) def. Taylor Lowe/Anna Patton (C-N) 21-8, 21-5
Brittany Pellitteri/Andrea Gallinis (FAU) def. Kiayna O'Neal/Morgan Harlan (C-N) 21-19, 21-19
Gabrielle Pyle/Lexi Rhein (FAU) def. Eileen Anderson/Lindsey Wells (C-N) 21-11, 21-8
The Eagles wrap up play on Saturday with a dual against Florida International at 8 a.m., play a singles bracket challenge at 10:30 a.m. before rounding out the day with a make-up dual with Webber International at 12:30 p.m.
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