TAVARES, Fl. - Carson-Newman beach volleyball (25-6) splits a pair of matches on day two of the AVCA Small College Championship. The Eagles defeated Eckerd College (4-14) in a nail-biting 3-2 victory before being shut out by the University of Tampa (18-13) 3-0.
The Eagles have been placed in the Silver Bracket after accumulating a 2-2 record at the tournament so far. The Eagles will begin Sunday's action with a matchup against Spring Hill at 9:15 A.M. If they win, they will move on to play the winner of the Texas A&M at Kingsville vs. Saint Leo match. If they lose, the Eagles will play the loser of the aforementioned match for third place in the silver bracket.
"For the game this morning we showed great grit," head coach Cat Lind said. "We fought for every point and had great focus. It was one of the best games this team has had."
Carson-Newman's win over Eckerd marks just their fourth at the AVCA Tournament in program history. It also marks the first time in program history that the Eagles have won twice at the event during the same season.
Game One: C-N 3, Eckerd 2
Truth Hafey and Sierra Still snapped their two-game losing streak when they lined up against Agata Sklepik and Kitana Lim. The Tritons won the first set 21-15, but the Eagles were able to bounce back to win the second set 21-16. The Eagles captured the third set 17-15 to mark Still and Hafey's 21st win in the one spot.
Taylor Keeran and Mia Toribio took on Nicki Bechtold and Martina Melicherova in the three spot. The Eagles won the first set 21-16 before falling 21-17 in the second. The Eagles rallied in the third set to win 15-11.
McKenna Hall and Julia Wheeler continued their dominant season when they faced Addie White and Anna Jupin in the four spot. The Eagles squeezed out a 21-17 first-set victory before cruising to a 21-9 second-set win. Hall and Wheeler lead the Eagles with 26 wins this season.
Abbey Hildenbrand and Ava Fountain saw Dana Dulll and Joelle Coulter in the two spot. The Tritons won 21-13 and 21-14.
Piper Halcrow and Kenzie Palmer rounded out the starting lineup as the five pair for the sixth time this season. The Eagles won the first set 21-7 but dropped the following sets 21-17 and 15-13.
Carson-Newman's win over Eckerd is their third over the Tritons in program history. The Eagles are 3-3 against Eckerd after breaking their two-game losing streak against the Tritons. The Eagle's last victory over Eckerd was during the 2016 campaign when the Eagles won 3-2.
Carson-Newman moved on to play in a rematch with Tampa at 3:35: in the Division-II Challenge Round.
Game Two: Tampa 3, C-N 0
The two teams played until Tampa clinched the match. Carson-Newman has been shut out three times since starting the season 22-0.
"We struggled in the afternoon to find rhythm and to find scoreable shots," Lind said. " We learned valuable lessons that we will use for tomorrow."
Hafey and Still took on Julia Oswald and Payton Brunick in the one spot. The Eagles lost 21-11 and 21-8.
Mia Toribio and Taylor Keeran dropped their matchup against Cassidy Ehrie and Angel Williams in sets of 21-16 and 21-11.
Julia Wheeler and McKenna Hall lost their matchup against Keely Hamilton and Maddie Brunick in sets of 21-16 and 21-14.
Tampa's win places the Tritons as the two seed in the Championship bracket. The loss knocks Carson-Newman into the Silver Bracket as the three-seed.
Carson-Newman beach volleyball will see their final action of the season tomorrow. They will begin the day against Spring Hill and will play their final game of the season against either Saint Leo or Texas A&M at Kingsville.
For more information on Carson-Newman beach volleyball, visit cneagles.com or follow Carson-Newman athletics on social media.
