UT Picks Up Two Wins in Final Day of Battle on the Bay
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The University of Tampa beach volleyball team swept their Saturday slate at Eckerd's annual Battle on the Bay tournament, defeating Missouri State in a tight 3-2 decision before cruising past host Eckerd in a dominant 4-1 victory. The Spartans now sit at 10-8 on the season, riding a six-match winning streak spanning the last two weekends.
The morning match against Missouri State proved to be a gritty battle, with three flights going to decisive third sets. The 1's duo of Elizabeth Price and Angel Williams opened with a hard-fought 21-16, 21-23, 15-2 win to give Tampa the early edge. The reigning Sunshine State Duo of the Week were up next, Nevaeh Wolfe and Hailey Wolfe, followed suit in the 2's, bouncing back from a second-set stumble to claim a 21-18, 16-21, 15-2 victory. In the 3's, the consistent tandem of Madelynn Hokanson and Hailey Peterson stayed steady, notching a straight-set win 21-17, 21-17 to secure the dual for the Spartans. Missouri State fought back to take the 4's and 5's flights, but Tampa held on for the overall win.
In the afternoon matchup, the Spartans found their rhythm and never looked back. After a narrow loss at the 1's, Tampa rattled off wins in the next four flights. The Wolfe twins were sharp in the 2's, winning 21-19, 21-10. Hokanson and Peterson continued their strong form with a commanding 21-12, 21-10 effort at the 3's, while Anna Bayes teamed up with Brooke Green at the 4's to deliver a 21-12, 21-18 win. At the bottom of the lineup, Sammie Ostrander and Meghan Schreck capped the afternoon with a clinical 21-18, 21-11 finish.
Tampa 3, Missouri State 2
• Elizabeth Price/Angel Williams (UT) def. Becca Bach/Allyson Larkin (MOST) 21-16, 21-23, 15-2
• Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. MacKenzie Steele/Amanda Cleary (MOST) 21-18, 16-21, 15-2
• Madelynn Hokanson/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Morgan Sprague/Maddie Schrandt (MOST) 21-17, 21-17
• Rylie Cepicky/Manuela Niemeyer (MOST) def. Lauren Duke/Brooke Green (UT) 21-17, 21-12
• Olivia Rattler/Erin Eschleman (MOST) def. Sammie Ostrander/Meghan Schreck (UT) 21-15, 16-21, 15-11
Tampa 4, Eckerd 1
• Brooke Hand/Anna Jupin (ECBVB) def. Elizabeth Price/Angel Williams (UT) 26-24, 21-18
• Nevaeh Wolfe/Hailey Wolfe (UT) def. Addie White/Madison Hardbarger (ECBVB) 21-19, 21-10
• Madelynn Hokanson/Hailey Peterson (UT) def. Teagan VanderMey/Ella Kloepper (ECBVB) 21-12, 21-10
• Anna Bayes/Brooke Green (UT) def. Marti Lu Boser/Maddie Prois (ECBVB) 21-12, 21-18
• Sammie Ostrander/Meghan Schreck (UT) def. Emma Samuelson/Mariana OlivaresCely (ECBVB) 21-18, 21-11
UP NEXT: The University of Tampa beach volleyball squad hosts its final match of the season this Saturday, April 5, at 4 p.m. against Saint Leo for Senior Day.