YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beach volleyball team opened the Southland Conference Midseason Tournament with a statement Saturday, winning all three duals to remain unbeaten in league play and move within two wins of the regular-season championship.
The Islanders (11-8, 4-0 SLC) did not drop a team point in the first two matches of the day, blanking their morning and early afternoon opponents 5-0 before grinding out a 3-2 victory in the evening finale. It moves them to a perfect 4-0 in league play so far with just two more opponents on their schedule standing between them and a title.
In the morning opener, the Islanders set the tone with a dominant sweep, striking first from the No. 2 position as Maria Duda Fernandes De Melo and
Millie Olsson handled business in straight sets, 21-14, 21-16.
Lizzie Denyer and
Ashlyn Rough followed on court four with a composed 21-19, 21-18 win to double the advantage.
The clinch came from the middle of the lineup, where
Bryce Ranney and Mille Maxwell Berthou secured a 21-17, 21-17 victory at No. 3 to put the Islanders out of reach. With the dual already decided,
Kristin Bobay and
Madison Morrow added a 21-14, 21-18 result on court one, and
Mia Stevens and
Saskia Hernandez capped the sweep with a 21-19, 21-15 win at No. 5.
The Islanders carried that momentum into the afternoon matchup, again posting a 5-0 sweep. Denyer and Rough sparked the effort with a commanding 21-8, 21-13 win at No. 4, followed closely by Fernandes De Melo and Olsson's 21-14, 21-17 victory at No. 2. Bobay and Morrow rolled on court one 21-8, 21-10 to secure the clinch. Stevens and Hernandez added a 21-19, 21-18 win at No. 5, while Ranney and Berthou battled back from a first-set loss to win 17-21, 21-18, 15-11 at No. 3 to complete the second sweep.
The evening dual proved to be the Islanders' toughest test, as they were pushed to the brink before emerging with a 3-2 victory. Fernandes De Melo and Olsson once again provided an early edge, cruising 21-12, 21-13 at No. 2 for the first point. After the opposition evened the score with a three-set decision at No. 4, Stevens and Hernandez restored the lead with a steady 21-18, 21-12 win on court five.
With the dual tied 2-2 following a narrow three-set loss on court one, all eyes turned to court three. Ranney and Berthou delivered in the clutch, outlasting their opponents in a marathon opening set, 24-22, before sealing the dual with a 21-11 second set to give the Islanders the 3-2 win.
Three pairs finished the day undefeated, led by Fernandes De Melo/Olsson, Ranney/Berthou, and Stevens/Hernandez, each posting perfect 3-0 records.
Sunday, March 22
9 a.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. McNeese
1 p.m. – A&M-Corpus Christi vs. SFA
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