JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Tusculum University beach volleyball team went 2-0 on the final day in Jacksonville (Feb. 26). The duo of Emma Johnson and Hannah Marsh completed a perfect 4-0 weekend, clinching both Sunday contests.
Tusculum (2-2) heads to Cajun Country for another stacked tournament to start March, the Tiger Beach Challenge. The Pioneers are scheduled to face the North Alabama Lions, No. 5 LSU Tigers, Central Arkansas Bears, and UAB Blazers.
Match 1: Tusculum 3, Jacksonville 2
The Nos. 2, 3, and 5 tallied the victories over Division I Jacksonville, all in three sets. Four of the five flights needed a decisive third frame.
It took Jordyn Anderson and Kyla Oppenhuis 1:07 to win their second flight battle, 12-21, 26-24, 20-18.
At No. 3, Johnson and Marsh pulled off the reverse sweep 20-22, 21-16, 15-10.
As the fifth flight, Landry Tea and Riley Rushing came from behind to win 21-18, 9-21, 15-9.
Kassidy Mercado and Morgan Pacione fell by identical scores at No. 1, 21-10, 21-10.
Charlyn Miller and Katie McLamb nearly edged out their Dolphin counterparts, but dropped their fourth flight 18-21, 21-11, 8-15.
Match 2: Tusculum 3, Tampa 2
The Pioneers recorded their first-ever win over the Spartans in the fifth all-time meeting between the programs.
For Tusculum, the 3-5's notched the necessary victories.
Johnson and Marsh wrapped up the contest with their 21-15, 13-21, 15-11 finale.
Miller and McLamb picked up their first win as a pair at No. 4 via a 13-21, 22-20, 15-8 decision.
Tea and Rushing finished out their perfect day with a nearly identical performance in their three set win, 21-19, 9-21, 15-10.
Falling were the top two flights, both in two frames.
At No. 1 were Mercado and Pacione with a 21-13, 21-10 loss.
Anderson and Oppenhuis were on the wrong side of a 21-17, 21-18 advantage.
In the exhibition sixth flight, Sofia Richmond and Abbie Holt fell 13-21, 16-21.