CONWAY, S.C. --- The Tusculum University women's beach volleyball team had its winning streak snapped at eight after day one of the Coastal Carolina Invitational on Friday (Mar. 15).
Next, Tusculum (10-4) continues its stay at the CCU event on Saturday (Mar. 16). The Pioneers face Central Arkansas at 11 a.m. and the hosting Sandy Chants at 1 p.m.
Match 1: Tusculum 3, Central Arkansas 2
The Sugar Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Tusculum pioneered a come from behind victory.
Emily Venable and Diana Bierwagen fought in a fifth flight loss: 21-12, 21-19, followed by Charlyn Miller and Katie McLamb's succumbing at No. 4: 21-11, 14-21, 7-15.
At 3's, Riley Rushing and Hannah Marsh got the first TU tally with identical 21-18 results.
Morgan Browne and Olivia Browne tied the contest at 2-all with a 21-16, 21-12 win at the top flight.
Brynn Smith and Kyla Oppenhuis clinched the victory with a three-set survival: 21-13, 15-21, 15-11.
In the exhibition flight, Katie Murphy and Morgan Willis fell by scores of 21-15, 21-16.
Match 2: RV Coastal Carolina 5, Tusculum 0
The Sandy Chants halted the Pioneers' eight-match winning streak with a blanking at their home court.
At No. 5, Bierwagen/Venable fell 21-11, 21-15.
Miller and McLamb nearly pulled off a comeback at No. 4 in their 9-21, 24-22, 8-15 result.
Oppenhuis and Smith suffered a 21-18, 21-13 setback at the 2's.
As the 3's, Marsh/Rushing lost a 24-22, 21-12 flight.
The Browne twins nearly scored a match point for TU with a 17-21, 21-19, 11-15 score.
In the sixth flight, Murphy/Willis dropped a 21-6, 21-14 decision.