SALISBURY, N.C. --- The Tusculum University women's beach volleyball team bounced back with a pair of close wins in South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday (Mar. 8).
Tusculum (3-3, 2-2 SAC) hosts a tri-match on Tuesday (Mar. 11) featuring Chattanooga and Lynchburg. The Pioneers will honor seven seniors before the 3 p.m.: Sage Dunne, Nyah Goss, Mia Johnson, Kassidy Mercado, Katie Murphy, Kyla Oppenhuis, and Landry Tea.
Match 1: Tusculum 3, Wingate 2
The Pioneers earned their first SAC win of the season with a thrilling victory over the Bulldogs.
All three of TU's wins came in straight sets, whereas the losses needed a decisive third frame.
Hannah Marsh and Brynn Smith won the top flight with ease by scores of 21-7, 21-16.
Mia Johnson and Sofia Richmond claimed the No. 3 flight with a 21-18, 21-16 victory.
The No. 4 pair of Nyah Goss and Katie Murphy tallied a 21-11, 21-15 triumph.
At the No. 2 slot, Morgan Willis and Ryann Gallagher pushed the match to a third set but fell 15-21, 21-19, 8-15.
Kassidy Mercado and Kyla Oppenhuis nearly pulled off a comeback at the fifth flight but were narrowly edged out 18-21, 21-18, 13-15.
Match 2: Tusculum 3, Erskine 2
TU moved to 6-0 all-time against the Flying Fleet to round out the day.
Once again, the Pioneers' swept in three flights and fell in three-set battles.
Marsh and Smith took the top flight 21-14, 21-16.
Willis and Gallagher edged out their No. 2 opposites in a 21-19, 22-20 showing.
At No. 5, Oppenhuis and Landry Tea won their debut 21-12, 21-10.
Johnson and Richmond dropped the third flight 22-24, 22-20, 9-15.
Goss and Murphy lost a 14-21, 21-11, 10-15 decision.