DELAND, Fla. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beach volleyball continued play at the Stetson Spring Invitational on Saturday with a pair of victories, defeating Southern Miss 4-1 before edging North Alabama 3-2 for a sweep on the final day at the Cooper Beach Volleyball Complex.
The Islanders controlled much of the opening dual against Southern Miss, securing three straight-set victories to take the 4-1 win. They struck first at the No. 5 position where
Mia Stevens and
Saskia Hernandez handled a 21-14, 21-17 win. Shortly after,
Maria Duda Fernandes de Melo and
Millie Olsson delivered a dominant 21-10, 21-14 victory at No. 2 to extend the lead.
Southern Miss picked up its lone point at No. 3 but the Islanders answered quickly at No. 4 when
Lizzie Denyer and
Ashlyn Rough edged the Golden Eagles in a tightly contested match, 21-19, 22-20, to clinch the dual. At the top flight,
Madison Morrow and
Kristin Bobay capped the match with a comeback victory. After dropping the first set 21-16, the Islander pair rallied to take the next two 21-17 and 15-11 to finalize the 4-1 result.
A&M-Corpus Christi followed with a dramatic 3-2 victory over North Alabama in the second match of the day. The Islanders took an early advantage when Denyer and Rough cruised to a 21-15, 21-15 win at No. 4. Stevens and Hernandez soon added another point at No. 5, battling past the Lions 22-20, 21-13 to put the Islanders ahead 2-0.
North Alabama responded with wins at the top two flights to even the match. With the dual tied, the deciding point came at No. 3 where
Bryce Ranney and
Kaitreanne Chojnacki delivered in three sets. After winning the opener 21-10 and dropping the second 21-18, the Islander duo regrouped to take the decisive third set 15-11 and secure the 3-2 victory.
Stevens and Hernandez finished the day 2-0 for the Islanders, while Denyer and Rough also added two wins as A&M-Corpus Christi completed a strong weekend in Florida.
Up next: SLC Midseason Tournament
Saturday, March 21
9 a.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Southeastern
1 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Nicholls
5 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. New Orleans
Sunday, March 22
9 a.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. McNeese
1 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. SFA
#ShakasUp
