TAVARES, Fla. --- The 2022 Tusculum University beach volleyball campaign came to a close at the AVCA Small College Beach Championship on Saturday (Apr. 16) afternoon. The Pioneers won their final two matches to bring home the Bronze Playoff A title.
Tusculum (22-11) had numerous records set over the winningest season in program history: 50 career wins (Haley Davis), pair winning percentage (.806; Olivia Knutson/Katie McLamb), and individual wins in a season (25; Knutson/McLamb).
Match 1: Tusculum 4, Erskine 1
The Pioneers improved on their previous win over the Flying Fleet, downing their regional foe for the second time this month.
Both the 2's and 4's won in straight sets over the Fleet. The No. 2 flight of Haley Davis and Charlyn Miller skated by their opposites 21-11, 21-14. The fantastic freshman duo (Katie McLamb and Olivia Knutson) finished out a 21-18, 21-16 decision.
The remaining two flights fought for three-set wins. Britney Shawel and Landry Tea tallied a 12-21, 24-22, 15-8 reverse sweep at No. 4, while Skyellar Hall and Emily Lawless gutted out a 21-19, 20-22, 15-13 close call.
The lone loss to Erskine was in the top flight by Emma Johnson and Olivia O'Keefe, 22-20, 21-16.
Match 2: Tusculum 3, Florida Southern 2
Davis had a fairytale ending to her storybook career, needing overtime in the third set to provide the clinching-point for the title in her final match.
The top flight started the contest with a 21-12, 21-16 victory.
McLamb and Knutson extended the TU lead after their domination at No. 4, 21-10, 21-13.
The Mocs got on the board with a third flight win over Shawel and Landry, 23-21, 21-14.
The title match became tied after Hall and Lawless dropped the No. 5 slot in straight sets, 21-16, 21-15.
The second flight was the deciding factor. Davis and Miller left the first frame with no doubt, 21-11, before Florida Southern responded with a 21-18 tying set. Set three was tied at 15 before Davis knocked a ball to the back left corner, just inside the line. On match-point, the Mocs attack went long, earning the Pioneers the season-ending victory.
