MIAMI, Fla. – For the first time in program history, the Carson-Newman Eagles (1-13) earned a dual victory by defeating Webber International University (2-9) 3-2 Saturday afternoon in the final dual of the Surf 'n Turf Tournament at the FIU Sand Volleyball Courts. The Eagles dropped a 5-0 decision to sixth-ranked Florida International (15-1) to start the day.
"At the start of the season, we didn't know how good we would be," Carson-Newman coach Dan Ahiers said. "The girls put a lot of time, effort and energy into something they've never done before. Today, theey go to see all their effort come to fruition. I couldn't be more proud to coach these young women!"
Dual No. 2 – Carson-Newman 3, Webber International 2
The Eagles second, fourth and fifth teams secured victories to give Carson-Newman its first ever sand volleyball dual victory. Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) and Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) earned a three-set win over Michelle Calderon and Karimah Hay 21-17, 18-21 and 15-13 to set the table.
The No. 4 duo of Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) and Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) defeated Candiss Baxter and Brenna Bissell 21-15 and 21-16 while the fifth group of Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) and Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) sprinted by Daniela Melo and Sandra Skarkova 21-9 in the first set before holding on to a 25-23 decision to seal the victory for Carson-Newman.
The top group of Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) lost to Alida Schat and Braiwna Mueller 16-21, 21-19 and 10-15 while the third group of Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Kristina Hill (Lake Orion, Mich.) fell to Alex Spardaro and Chelsea Umana 21-15 and 21-16.
DUAL No. 2 RESULTS
Carson-Newman 3, Webber International 2
Alida Schat/Braiwna Mueller (WIU) def. Rachel Harper/Jenna Wilson (C-N) 21-16, 19-21 and 15-10
Sara Fairley/Kristen Pickett (C-N) def. Michelle Calderon/Karimah Hay (WIU) 21-17, 18-21 and 15-13
Alex Spardaro/Chelsea Umana (WIU) def. Lauren Santarelli/Kristina Hill (C-N) 21-15, 21-16
Taylor Lowe/Anna Patton (C-N) def. Candiss Baxter/Brenna Bissell (WIU) 21-15, 21-16
Kiayna O'Neal/Morgan Harlan (C-N) def. Daniela Melo/Sandra Skarkova (WIU) 21-9, 25-23
Dual No. 1 – No. 6 Florida International 5, Carson-Newman 0
The Panthers did not drop a set in the dual against the Eagles as Maryna Samoday and Anja Licka won the No. 1 pairing 21-9 and 21-14 over Harper and Wilson.
Martyna Gluchowicz and Anna Budinska won the No. 2 pairing over Fairley and Pickett 21-18 and 21-10 and Kristine Monforte and Summer Nash took the third duo 21-11 and 21-10 over Lowe and Patton.
O'Neal and Harlan fell to Marina Boulanger and Darija Satanc 21-8 and 21-9 while Tina Toghiyani and Aren Cupp topped Eileen Anderson (Pittstown, N.J.) and Lindsey Wells (Morristown, Tenn.) 21-4 and 21-5.
DUAL No. 1 RESULTS
No. 6 Florida International 5, Carson-Newman 0
Maryna Samoday/Anja Licka (FIU) def. Rachel Harper/Jenna Wilson (C-N) 21-9, 21-14
Martyna Gluchowicz/Anna Budinska (FIU) def. Sara Fairley/Kristen Pickett (C-N) 21-18, 21-10
Kristine Monforte/Summer Nash (FIU) def. Taylor Lowe/Anna Patton (C-N) 21-11, 21-10
Marina Boulanger/Darija Satanc (FIU) def. Kiayna O'Neal/Morgan Harlan (C-N) 21-8, 21-9
Tina Toghiyani/Aren Cupp (FIU) def. Eileen Anderson/Lindsey Wells (C-N) 21-4, 21-5
Carson-Newman gets a chance to claim a national championship against the only other Division II team in the country, Eckerd, on the Tritons home sand Monday with a pair of duals scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
