TAVARES, Fla. --- The Tusculum University women's beach volleyball team won its first two pool play matches at the AVCA Small College Beach Championships on Friday (Apr. 12).

Tusculum (20-9) finishes out pool play on Saturday (Apr. 13) at 11:15 a.m. versus Concordia Irvine. The Pioneers will then play a challenge round match against a yet to be determined opponent, dependent upon pool play results.

Match 1: Tusculum 3, Catawba 0
The Pioneers swept the Catawba Indians on the biggest stage, needing only three flights to clinch.

Kyla Oppenhuis and Brynn Smith won the top flight 21-13, 21-17.

At No. 3, Hannah Marsh and Riley Rushing tallied a 21-13, 21-10 decision.

The 4's of Katie McLamb and Charlyn Miller blew past their opposites 21-11, 21-6.

Match 2: Tusculum 3, Florida Southern 0
TU repeated its result against the Mocs of Florida Southern.

Morgan Browne and Olivia Browne won at No. 2 21-15, 21-10.

The 3's of Marsh and Rushing notched their second victory of the day by scores of 21-8, 21-12.

At the fourth flight, McLamb and Miller finished with a 21-11, 21-15 result.

Pairs Challenge
Tusculum had three pairings compete in the one-day Pairs Challenge, with each duo finishing 1-1.

Mia Johnson and Morgan Pacione were partnered, dropping their opener to Palm Beach Atlantic 21-7, 21-17. They followed with a win over Texas A&M Kingsville 21-18, 21-17.

Ashley Hall and Morgan Martin defeated a pair from Erskine with a reverse sweep: 11-21, 22-20, 18-16. They dropped a three-setter to Spring Hill by scores of 20-22, 21-18, 11-15.

Kassidy Mercado and Addison Williams paired up and were victorious over a Catawba duo 21-17, 21-18. They finished with a loss to Colorado Mesa 21-6, 21-15.