TAVARES. Fl. -Carson-Newman beach volleyball (24-5) splits a pair of matches during day one of the AVCA Small College Beach Championship. The Eagles fell 3-0 to Tampa University (17-12) before defeating Tusculum (9-11) with a final score of 3-2.
Carson-Newman's win over Tusculum marks the Eagles' third victory at the AVCA tournament in program history and the first in back-to-back years. The Eagles defeated Tusculum last year 3-2.
Game One: Tampa 3, C-N 0
Carson-Newman took on the top-seeded Tampa Spartans to begin the day. The Eagles suffered their first scoreless loss of the season against the Spartans.
Julia Wheeler and McKenna Hall took on Keely Hamilton and Maddie Brunick in the four spot. The Spartans won in sets of 21-16 and 21-12 to hand Wheeler and Hall their third losing matchup of the year.
Mia Toribio and Taylor Keeran took on Hailey Wolfe and Nevaeh Wolfe in the three spot. The Wolfe's defeated Toribio and Keeran in sets of 22-20 and 21-17.
The Eagles forfeited their matchup in the five spot, allowing the Spartans to clinch the 3-0 victory.
Game Two: C-N 3, TU 2
Carson-Newman's win over Tusculum marks their third win at the AVCA Small College Championship. The Eagles defeated Tusculum for just the second time in three years. They are 3-5 against the Pioneers during that period.
Sierra Still and Truth Hafey received their first action of the day when they took on Jordyn Anderson and Riley Rushing in the one spot. The Eagles won 21-15 and 21-17. Still and Hafey extended their win total to 20 this season, joining the pairs of Hildenbrand/Fountain and Hall/Wheeler as pairs this season with over 20.
Taylor Keeran and Mia Toribio won their matchup against Kassidy Mercado and Morgan Pacione for the second time this season after the pairs faced off a week ago at the SAC Beach Challenge. The Eagles won today's matchup 21-12 and 21-16.
Abbey Hildenbrand and Ava Fountain paired up in the two spot for the 26th time this season to take on Emma Johnson and Hannah Marsh. The Eagles won the first set 21-17 but fell 21-18 in the second set. Hildenbrand and Fountain refound their form to defeat the Pioneers 15-11 in what ended up being the match-clinching set.
Wheeler and Hall dropped just their fourth matchup of the season when they took on Charlyn Miller and Katie McLamb. The Pioneers won 21-19 and 21-12. Piper Halcrow and Kenzie Palmer dropped their second matchup of the day when they lined up against Landry Tea and Kyla Oppenhuis. The Pioneers won 21-14.
Carson-Newman advances to 3-17 all-time at the AVCA Small College Championships after losing 3-0 to Tampa and winning 3-2 against Tusculum.
The Eagles will begin cross pool play on Saturday against Eckerd at 10:10 A.M. Eckerd began day one with a pair of losses against Concordia and Saint Leo.
Eagles fans can stay updated on Carson-Newman beach volleyball by visiting cneagles.com or by following Carson-Newman athletics on social media.
