UT Advances to AVCA Semifinals, Will Face Colorado Mesa
TAVARES, Fla. - Tampa beach volleyball advances to the AVCA Semifinals on Sunday with their eyes set on not only a return to the championship match but back-to-back titles.
The University of Tampa beach volleyball team closed out pool play unbeaten earlier Saturday morning after defeating Spring Hill 3-0 in the duel. Olivia Margolies and Payton Brunick were in the 1's and Keely Hamilton and Madison Brunick were paired in the 2's and were both unable to finish the match due to the the Spartans having already clinched. Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe have been great all weekend and won in two sets, 21-15, 21-15. Cassidy Ehrie and Angel Williams dominated closing out the 4's match, 21-10, 21-8. In the 5's Anna Bayes and Hailey Peterson continued their successful start at the AVCA Championships with a dominant two-set win.
After ending pool play as the top team, Tampa would face Tusculum in the challenge round. UT would take the duel, 3-0 once again and defeat Tusculum for the second time this season. Margolies and Brunick did not finish their respective match as well as Ehrie and Williams. Hamilton and Brunick won with ease, 21-13, 21-14 in the 2's and added to their impressive record as a pairing this season. The Wolfes's consistency continued in their match as they came out victorious in straight sets. Bayes and Peterson were winners in the 5's pairing, 21-6, 21-13 and have been impressive all weekend.
Tampa 3, Spring Hill 0
- Olivia Margolies/Payton Brunick (UT) vs. Lily Mascari/Mia Saavedra (SHC) (Unfinished)
- Keely Hamilton/Madison Brunick (UT) vs. Ally Lane/Linnea Beger (SHC) (Unfinished)
- Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Ashlyn Whiteside/Jaylyne Bell (SHC) 21-15, 21-15
- Cassidy Ehrie/Angel Williams (UT) def. Elizabeth Hardouin/Emily Weinzapfel (SHC) 21-10, 21-8
- Anna Bayes/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Isabella Muti/Cassidy Granger (SHC) 21-6, 21-13
Tampa 3, Tusculum 0
- Olivia Margolies/Payton Brunick (UT) vs. Kyla Oppenhuis/Brynn Smith (TU) (Unfinished)
- Keely Hamilton/Madison Brunick (UT) def. Morgan Browne/Olivia Browne (TU) 21-13, 21-14
- Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Hannah Marsh/Riley Rushing (TU) 21-13, 21-12
- Cassidy Ehrie/Angel Williams (UT) vs. Charlyn Miller/Katie McLamb (TU) (Unfinished)
- Anna Bayes/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Morgan Willis/Katie Murphy (TU) 21-6, 21-12
Up Next: The Spartans will play Colorado Mesa in the gold bracket semifinal Sunday, April 14 at 10:30 AM. If Tampa advances they will face either Concordia or Saint Leo in the final at 2:30 PM.