The FGCU beach volleyball team wrapped up their first four matches at FAU’s Burrow Beach Bash. The Eagles earned wins on day one against Houston Baptist (3-2) and Webber International (5-0) and split with a loss against #11 Georgia State (0-5) and a win over host #15 FAU (3-2). The win against FAU was the program’s first all-time win over a ranked opponent.
"It was nice to get a couple matches under our belt as we head into tomorrow," FGCU head coach Matt Botsford said. "Overall, I was pleased with our performance considering this was our first time out, but we definitely need to clean up a few things. I think we are going to have to serve tougher as the season progresses, and I think our setting needs to get a little more consistent. The wind was definitely a factor today, but I don't think we used it to our advantage often enough."
On day one, FGCU played Houston Baptist to start their season with a 3-2 win. The freshman duo of Kayla Whetstone and Snowy Burnam defeated freshman Brianne Miller and sophomore Danielle Wheeler 21-16, 21-18.
Freshman Alayna Ryan and junior Kaitlan Krivdo would follow with a 21-14, 19-21, 15-10 win over freshmen Meagan Carter and Jordyn Miller.
After sophomore Giovanna Borgiotti and senior Ashley Glickert fell 16-21, 17-21 to grad student Kayla Armer and sophomore Tori Hinojosa, the junior duo of Karissa Rhoades and Katherine Puisis defeated senior Bailey Banks and freshman Katya Silviera 18-21, 21-12, 17-15 to claim the win for FGCU.
The duo of senior Mackenzie Allen and junior Amanda Carroll lost 11-21, 21-18, 14-16 to grad student Jessica Wooten and junior Aeriel Horton and freshman Cortney VanLiew and junior Kellie Pernula defeated freshman Mikayla Vivens and senior Kali Fluke 22-20, 21-14 in an extra match.
In match two against Webber International, the Eagles pulled off a 5-0 shutout over the Warriors.
Whetstone and Burnam defeated the freshman duo of Molly Fusarelli and Kobi Allston 21-14, 21-4
"Snowy and Kayla put together two really solid matches, which was nice to see from a freshmen pairing," Botsford said. "Getting off to a 2-0 start in both matches with the help of our 4 and 5 pairs is always a nice momentum builder.".
Krivdo and Ryan would follow with a 21-15, 22-20 over junior Teryn Mills and freshman Jessica Terry before Rhoades and Puisis defeated sophomore Laura Embry and freshman Salla Rautiainen 21-12, 21-12 to give FGCU the win.
Carroll and Allen defeated sophomore Carlee Baxter and freshman Emily Bowen 21-9, 21-15 and Borgiotti and Glickert defeated sophomores Amber Lake and Hannah Tannone by a score of 18-21, 21-9, 15-10.
On day two, FGCU would fall 0-5 to Georgia State. Burnam and Whetstone fell 24-26, 17-21 to grad student Amie Held and sophomore Kate Novack.
Krivdo and Ryan would fall next to junior Ashley McGinn and freshman Eden Hawes 23-21, 15-21, 10-15 before Allen and Carroll fell 18-21, 23-25 to grad students Teegan Van Gunst and Tiffany Creamer.
Borgiotti and Glickert would then lose 15-21, 18-21 to grad student Annika Van Gunst and junior Brooke Weiner before Rhoades and Puisis fell 20-22, 21-19, 15-17 to sophomores Olivia Stasevich and Georgia Johnson.
VanLiew and Pernula would lose the extra match 22-20, 21-23, 11-15 to sophomore Maddie Gordon and freshman Ashley Bauchert.
Wrapping up day two, the Eagles managed to beat the Owls 3-2. The Owls were ranked #15 in the nation’s top 20.
The freshman duo of Erica Brok and Mackenzie Morris defeated Krivdo and Ryan 13-21, 13-21.
Burnam and Whetstone would tie the score defeating junior Amanda Silva and freshman Kaila Dorish 15-21, 21-18, 15-13. Borgiotti and Glickert would fall 13-21, 17-21 to seniors Jessalyn Kinlaw and Gabrielle Dischler.
With the score 2-1 in favor of FAU, Rhoades and Puisis would tie the score with a 19-21, 21-17, 15-10 win over juniors Nicole Navarro and Nicole Grant. In the decider, Carroll and Allen defeated grad student Carly Scarborough and senior Brittany Pellitteri 21-19, 21-17.
"This is huge for our program," Botsford said. "We've made strides, and it's clear our talent and competition levels have improved, and this win validates that. It's a reward for all of our hard work. It's exciting. Most of all, I'm happy for our two seniors who have played a big role in elevating this program to new heights."
Rhoades and Pernula played an extra match, losing 14-21, 11-21 to junior Julia Lewkowicz and sophomore Sam Gott.
Up next, FGCU will face Eckerd College on Wednesday, Mar. 14 in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 3 P.M. before hosting the University of Tampa on Friday, Mar. 16 at 4 P.M. at FGCU.
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