Spartans Split on Opening Day of FAU Beach Invitational
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball team continued its road campaign at the FAU Beach Invitational, narrowly falling 3-2 to No. 15 Stetson before rebounding with a 3-2 victory over Florida Gulf Coast. With these results, the Spartans now hold a 4-6 overall record on the season.
The 1's pair of Elizabeth Price and Angel Williams, who were last week's Sunshine State Conference Duo of the Week, delivered a standout performance, going undefeated on the day. They secured a sweeping win over Stetson's top duo before battling back to take down FGCU in three sets, 16-21, 22-20, 15-11. Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe continued their strong season in the 2's slot, having already been named SSC Duo of the Week twice. They swept Stetson 22-20, 21-14 before pulling off a gritty 18-21, 21-13, 17-15 three-set victory over the Eagles to remain perfect on the day.
In the 3's flight, Hailey Peterson and Brooke Green put up a strong fight against Stetson, keeping both sets competitive but ultimately falling 21-16, 21-19. Against FGCU, Anna Bayes and Green struggled to gain momentum, dropping both sets 21-15, 21-14 as the Eagles took control early. In the 4's pair, Bayes and Lauren Duke played a tight first set against Stetson before falling 21-18, 21-13, while Madelynn Hokanson and Hailey Peterson forced a third set against FGCU but ultimately fell 19-21, 22-20, 15-9.
The 5's pair of Hokanson and Olivia Whisnant battled against Stetson but fell short in 21-16, 21-15 straight sets. Later in the day, Sammie Ostrander and Duke helped Tampa secure the win over FGCU, delivering a crucial three-set victory, 21-14, 14-21, 15-12.
No. 15 Stetson 3, Tampa 2
•Elizabeth Price/Angel Williams (UT) def. Katie Camp/Maria Ozaeta (STET) – 22-20, 21-18
• Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Youna Coens/Grace Goudy (STET) – 22-20, 21-14
• Marta Carro/Julia Radelczuk (STET) def. Hailey Peterson/Brooke Green (UT) – 21-16, 21-19
• Julia Czurylo/Madeline Camp (STET) def. Anna Bayes/Lauren Duke (UT) – 21-18, 21-13
• Vanessa Hurnikova/Hanna Gubik (STET) def. Madelynn Hokanson/Olivia Whisnant (UT) – 21-16, 21-15
Tampa 3, Florida Gulf Coast 2
• Elizabeth Price/Angel Williams (UT) def. Nicole De Oliveira/Kaitlyn Luebbers (FGCU) – 16-21, 22-20, 15-11
• Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Jaci Carpenter/Emma Soncrant (FGCU) – 18-21, 21-13, 17-15
• Alexis Keeter/Ava Lilliquist (FGCU) def. Anna Bayes/Brooke Green (UT) – 21-15, 21-14
• Andrea Dietz/Mia Thompson (FGCU) def. Madelynn Hokanson/Hailey Peterson (UT) – 19-21, 22-20, 15-9
• Sammie Ostrander/Lauren Duke (UT) def. Sydney Majick/Erin Miller (FGCU) – 21-14, 14-21, 15-12
Up Next: The Spartans remain in Pompano Beach for another day of the FAU Beach Invitational, facing Alabama-Birmingham at 8:00 a.m. before closing out the weekend against No. 4 TCU at 1:00 p.m.