COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina beach volleyball bounced back from an 0-4 start to the spring with two wins Saturday to open play at home in the Wheeler Beach Bash. The Gamecocks (2-4) defeated Chattanooga (1-5) by a 4-1 score and closed the day with a 3-2 victory over Coastal Carolina (2-4). Three South Carolina pairs went 2-0 on Saturday, with seniors Hannah Mackenhausen and Riley Whitesides clinching the team victory in both duals on court two.
In the weekend opener against Chattanooga, South Carolina jumped ahead with a 2-0 advantage after the opening wave of matches. Morgan Downs and Sophie Bengoechea went for a 21-13, 21-15 sweep of the fifth flight, locking down the first win of the season for both individuals – including Downs’ first collegiate win of her career. Chase Teal and Jolie Cranford finished the opening games strong with a 23-21, 21-11 sweep of flight four. In the top three pairings, Hannah Mackenhausen and Riley Whitesides burned through their match on court two, winning 21-16, 21-15 to clinch the overall team win with a 3-0 advantage. Skylar Allen and Allison Coens wrapped up the final point for the team on court one, holding the Mocs to just 19 total points in a 21-13, 21-6 sweep.
In the nightcap against Coastal Carolina, the Gamecocks got another early cushion from their opening wave. Downs and Bengoechea allowed 20 points total to their opponents in a 21-9, 21-11 sweep on court five, and Teal and Cranford followed with a sweep of their own. The early lead would be tested in the final round of matchups, as the Chanticleers won their first point on court one and pushed the other two matches to third sets. South Carolina would get its crucial third point on court two, where Mackenhausen and Whitesides overcame a 21-16 loss in the first set to roll 21-13 and 15-8 in their comeback to make it a 3-1 team score for the Gamecocks. Coastal closed the dual with a three-set win on court three for the final 3-2 margin.
UP NEXT
Sunday will feature two more duals for the Gamecocks, closing out play in the Wheeler Beach. South Carolina will host UNCW and College of Charleston at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
For continued updates on the team, follow @GamecockBeachVB on Twitter and Instagram.
RESULTS
South Carolina 4, Chattanooga 1
- Skylar Allen/Allison Coens (SC) def. Neva Clark/Corina Vale (UTC) 21-13, 21-6
- Riley Whitesides/Hannah Mackenhausen (SC) def. Gylian Finch/McKenna Faychak (UTC) 21-16, 21-15
- Joy Courtright/Maddie Lecik…