USC Splits Matches, Trio Shines on Day One of Fiesta on Siesta Key
By: USC SID
Siesta Key Fla. (USC SID) — The South Carolina beach volleyball team defeated North Florida but fell to Florida Gulf Coast in dual play on the opening day of the Fiesta on Siesta Key, while a Gamecock trio won the Bronze bracket championship.
The Gamecocks opened the day with a rematch against North Florida. The two teams met earlier in the season and the Ospreys came out with a 4-1 victory. Carolina earned a 3-2 win over UNF today, with points coming from pairs at Nos. 2, 3 and 5. Sarah Blomgren and Aubrey Ezell clinched the win for South Carolina at the No. 2 spot.
Carolina later fell to Florida Gulf Coast 4-1 with the lone point coming from Katie Reilly and Macie Tendrich at No. 3. The pair went 2-0 on the day, improving their win streak to four.
In pairs play, freshmen Emma Lock, Anna Joy Baumann and Katie Cross combined to go 4-0 in the Bronze bracket and win the championship. The three split playing time, alternating different pairs for each match.
Dual Results
South Carolina 3, North Florida 2
1. Megan Crawshaw/Jessalyn Kinlaw (UNF) def. Julia Mannisto/Shannon Williams (SC) 20-22, 21-13, 15-10
2. Sarah Blomgren/Aubrey Ezell (SC) def. Kimberly Ferguson/Lauren Ford (UNF) 21-17, 21-16
3. Macie Tendrich/Katie Reilly (SC) def. Courtney Miller/Katarina Raicevic (UNF) 21-19, 21-14
4. Chaney Howard/Ambre Desaulnay (UNF) def. Jade Vitt/Delaney Wood (SC) 21-18, 21-10
5. Erin Neuenfeldt/Litsa Darby (SC) def. Carina Hoff/Emily Davanzo (UNF) 21-19, 21-12
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2
Florida Gulf Coast 4, South Carolina 1
1. Vanessa Benke/Eleonora Kararian (FGCU) def. Julia Mannisto/Shannon Williams (SC) 21-19, 17-21, 15-13
2. Mackenzie Allen/Amanda Carroll (FGCU) def. Sarah Blomgren/Aubrey Ezell (SC) 21-17, 21-16
3. Macie Tendrich/Katie Reilly (SC) def. Ashley Glickert/Karissa Rhoades (FGCU) 21-14, 21-15
4. Madi Wilcox/Elisa Anne Aldrich (FGCU) def. Jade Vitt/Delaney Wood (SC) 21-16, 21-16
5. Leigh Pudwill/Kathrine Puisis (FGCU) def. Erin Neuenfeldt/Lista Darby (SC) 21-19, 21-23, 15-13
Order of Finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1
