Spartans Split Opening Day at FIU Surf and Turf

MIAMI, Fla. – The University of Tampa Beach Volleyball team headed down south to Miami as they opened up their weekend at the FIU Surf and Turf. On the weekend's opening day, the Spartans faced off against Florida memorial and #13 Florida International. UT would split the day as they defeated Florida Memorial and dropped a close contest to FIU.

Dual 1

Tampa would open the weekend early as they battled the Lions of Florida Memorial at 9:45 A.M. Tampa would sweep the opening matchup, winning all five games in two sets. Payton Brunick and Claire Overton gave the Spartans an early lead as they were the first duo to finish, winning 21-9 and 21-14 in the five position. Kiersten Anderson and Madison Brunick's pair would win 21-16 and 21-6 to give Tampa a seven-game winning streak in the four spot.  

1. Julia Oswald/Rachel Rosequist (UT) def. Busque, Agustina/Soto, Adriana (FMU) 21-13, 21-9
2. Melissa Elias/Valerie Rosequist (UT) def. Santana, Keisha/Cruz, Biancaliz (FMU) 21-12, 21-12
3. Katie McKiel/Tatiana Gutierrez (UT) def. Dodd, Olivia/Infante, Azmabeth (FMU) 21-16, 21-7
4. Madison Brunick/Kiersten Anderson (UT) def. Nogueria, Rafaela/Bonilla, Jessenia (FMU) 21-16, 21-6
5. Payton Brunick/Claire Overton (UT) def. Santana, Alanis/Albarron, Sammyra (FMU) 21-9, 21-14

Match Notes:
Florida Memorial 3-8
Tampa 8-5
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,2,3,1);

Dual 2

In the second game of the day, Tampa would face their fifth-ranked team of the season, facing the #12 Florida International University Panthers. UT and FIU would battle as the Panthers were able to pull out the 3-2 victory. The duo of Payton Brunick and Claire Overton would get the first UT victory in the matchup, as they would pull out two close games, winning 21-19 and 24-22. In the second position, Melissa Elias and Valerie Rosequst would take the game's second win, as the duo for the Panthers had to retire.  

1. FRASCA, Federica/RIBEIRO, Roberta (FIU) def. Julia Oswald/Rachel Rosequist (UT) 21-18, 21-12
2. Melissa Elias/Valerie Rosequist (UT) def. ERTELTOVA, Emma/BRANDSTETTER, Sophia (FIU) 11-21, 16-11, retired
3. BERNIER, Lina/LIPSCOMB, Gina (FIU) def. Tatiana Gutierrez/Katie McKiel (UT) 21-8, 21-14
4. HUGHES, Abbie/KALKHOFF, Paige (FIU) def. Madison Brunick/Kiersten Anderson (UT) 21-15, 21-14
5. Payton Brunick/Claire Overton (UT) def. BIANCHI, Giada/MANCINELLI, Rachele (FIU) 21-19, 24-22
Ext. DAUM, Madison/FORBES, Presley (FIU) def. Gia Marinelli/Selina Pfuner (UT) 21-10, 22-20
Match Notes:
Tampa 8-6
FIU 15-4; National ranking #13
Order of finish: Doubles (4,3,5,1,2);

Tampa will be back in action tomorrow as they face Tulane at 8:00 A.M. and #12 Florida Atlantic at 1:15 P.M.