CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Winning in three straight courts, the top-seeded Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beach volleyball team swept New Orleans 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2023 SLC Tournament Friday at The Water's Edge Park.
The Islanders (22-9) awaited their opponent after earning a first round bye, slated to play the winner of No. 4 New Orleans and No. 5 Southeastern. UNO (19-16) defeated the Lady Lions but A&M-Corpus Christi halted the momentum and didn't drop a set against the Privateers to take the dual in a quick 1-2-3 decision.
"Our whole season has been preparing us for this tournament," said head coach
Gayle Stammer. "The Islanders showed up confident, ready to play, and I am very proud of their performance today!"
Court five with freshman
Maria Duda Fernandes de Melo and sophomore
Hannah Doyle gave the Islanders the early 1-0 lead with a 21-15, 21-12 victory. Just a few moments later, A&M-Corpus Christi went up 2-0 as sophomore
Kela Moreno and redshirt junior
Shea Slusser also closed out a straight-set victory at court four.
Courts one, two, and three all went up a set, but sophomore
Jade Bennett and junior
Tori Johnson finished out their 21-15, 22-20 win at the three spot first to clinch.
The Islanders have not lost to an SLC opponent since 2021 and are now 12-3 all-time over UNO.
With the win, the Islanders advance to the semifinals in the winner's bracket and will face No. 3 Boise State Saturday at 10 a.m. The Broncos went 2-0 on the day, registering a 3-1 upset over No. 2 HCU to advance to the semis.
In the regular season meeting, the Islander swept Boise State 5-0. A&M-Corpus Christi is 3-0 all-time over the Broncos.
The winner will move on to the championship match to compete for the 2023 SLC Tournament title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama May 5-7.
A&M-Corpus Christi 3, New Orleans 0
1.
Giuliana Poletti Corrales/
Kiley Lewis (AMCC) vs. Maria Ozaeta/Ania Esarte (UNO) 21-18, 17-13, uf
2.
Chloe Tome/
Kristin Bobay (AMCC) vs. Alexa Spartz/Trinity Jackson (UNO) 23-21, 15-11, uf
3.
Jade Bennett/
Tori Johnson (AMCC) def. Hannah Volpi/Valerie Vujnovich (UNO) 21-15, 22-20
4.
Shea Slusser/
Kela Moreno (AMCC) def. I de Carvalho Peixe/Serena Baumgart (UNO) 21-17, 21-16
5. Maria Fernandes de Melo/
Hannah Doyle (AMCC) def. Valentina Echeverri/Rita Zecchin (UNO) 21-15, 21-12
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