Beach Volleyball Hosts Opening Weekend
UT Beach Volleyball is set to host their first home tournament of the 2019 season.
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball program is set to host its home opener on Friday at 10:00 a.m. against the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. This dual will be the Spartans first of four this weekend. Friday at 2:00 p.m. the Spartans will take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Saturday, Tampa will face the Jacksonville University Dolphins at 10:00 a.m. before battling SSC foe, Eckerd College at 4:00 p.m.
DUAL 1
The Matchup: University of Tampa (0-4) vs. University of Tennessee-Martin (0-0)
Date/Time: Friday, March 1stat 10:00 a.m.
Location: UT Beach Volleyball Complex | Tampa, Fla.
DUAL 2
The Matchup: University of Tampa (0-4) vs. Coastal Carolina (2-2)
Date/Time: Friday, March 1stat 2:00 p.m.
Location: UT Beach Volleyball Complex | Tampa, Fla.
DUAL 3
The Matchup: University of Tampa (0-4) vs. Jacksonville University (0-0)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 2ndat 10:00 a.m.
Location: UT Beach Volleyball Complex | Tampa, Fla.
DUAL 4
The Matchup: University of Tampa (0-4) vs. Eckerd College (0-4)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 2ndat 4:00 p.m.
Location: UT Beach Volleyball Complex | Tampa, Fla.
Last Time Out: The University of Tampa Beach Volleyball team went 0-4 during in its opening weekend at the Home2 Suites Hilton – Tallahassee State Capitol Invitational hosted by the Florida State Seminoles. On the first day of the tournament, the Spartans fell to No. 18 Tulane and No. 9 South Carolina, both 5-0. Then on Sunday, Tampa was defeated by No. 6 Cal Poly and No. 3 Florida State in a similar manner. Even though the Spartans did not win any duals, it was a great learning experience for the team, and as a second-year program, an impressive opportunity to play some of the toughest talents in the nation. Additionally, in their first three duals, there was one pair to take the ranked opponent to three sets. Against No. 18 Tulane, Lexi Thompson and Rachel Rosequist played together in the threes position and took the Green Waves to three, losing 15-13 in the third. Against No. 9 South Carolina, Caroline Pometand Nylah Demps took the Gamecocks to three sets in the fours position, and against No. 6 Cal Poly partners Katie McKieland Valerie Rosequist took the Mustangs to three sets in the threes position.
About the Skyhawks: The University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks return to the sand after taking a year off in 2018. The Skyhawks inaugural season was 2017 where they finished with an overall record of 0-15. Their current beach roster consists of 12 student-athletes who are also all on the indoor team. Tennessee-Martin is coached by head coach, Jaclynn Wilson, and Assistant Coach Julia Noe.
About the Chanticleers: Coastal Carolina University is entering their fourth season with a beach roster. In the 2018 season, the Chanticleers went 1-15, with their only win coming from Missouri State. Entering the weekend Coastal is 2-2 overall with both wins coming from Southern Mississippi at the Spring Hill Invitational. The Chanticleers currently have 13 student-athletes on their roster including three freshmen, four sophomores, two seniors, and four grad students. Coastal Carolina is coached by head coach, Steve Loewick and assistant CJ Allard.
About the Dolphins: Jacksonville University is entering their fifth season with a beach program. Last season, the Dolphins finished with an overall record of 6-18. Two of their wins came from fellow SSC institutions, Florida Southern College and Saint Leo University. The Dolphins roster has 14 student-athletes, with seven kids having played on the indoor team in the fall. Jacksonville University is coached by head coach Evan Muys, and assisted by Kayla Muys.
About the Tritons: Eckerd College also enters its fifth season with a beach program. Last year the Tritons went 17-6 overall, with three of their wins coming from the University of Tampa. In the first two meetings with the Spartans, the Tritons were victorious 3-2, before defeated the Spartans in their final meeting of the 2018 season 4-1. Eckerd only has ten athletes on their roster and they are coached by Kali Boatwright.