COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beach volleyball team wrapped up an unbeaten Saturday at the Carolina Challenge, sweeping Austin Peay Governors before edging Coastal Carolina Chanticleers to close out the weekend in the Wheeler Beach Bash.
The Islanders (4-4) opened the day with a dominant 5-0 victory over Austin Peay, then battled past Coastal Carolina 3-2 to secure a two-win day in South Carolina's tournament.
Against Austin Peay, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi controlled the sand from the outset. The Islanders clinched the dual quickly as
Millie Olsson and Duda Fernandes de Melo notched a 21-15, 21-17 victory at No. 2, and Mille Maxwell Berthou and
Ashlyn Rough rallied from a first-set loss to win 17-21, 21-19, 15-10 at No. 4.
Mia Stevens and
Saskia Hernandez added a decisive 21-12, 21-10 win at Flight 5, while top pair
Kristin Bobay and
Madison Morrow closed out a 21-15, 21-18 decision at No. 1.
Lizzie Denyer and
Emily Wood capped the sweep with a 21-16, 21-16 victory at Flight 3 as the Islanders completed the 5-0 shutout.
The afternoon matchup with Coastal Carolina proved tighter, with three courts going the distance. After the Chanticleers claimed wins at Flights 4 and 3, the Islanders responded behind their top pairs.
Olsson and Fernandes de Melo delivered a steady 21-19, 21-10 win at No. 2 to even the score. Stevens and Hernandez gutted out a 21-15, 18-21, 17-15 thriller at Flight 5, putting A&M-Corpus Christi within a point of the dual victory.
The deciding court came down to Bobay and Morrow at No. 1. In a back-and-forth battle, the Islanders' top tandem outlasted Coastal Carolina 21-19, 26-28, 16-14, sealing the 3-2 team win and the Islanders' second victory of the day.
The Islanders move to .500 on the season after a three-win weekend. They next hit the road to TCU next weekend for some in-state competition, featuring a conference matchup with HCU.
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