CHARLESTON, S.C. - The No. 8 Georgia State sand volleyball team went 2-0 on Saturday at the first day of the College of Charleston Tournament. The Panthers defeated Mercer and College of Charleston by 4-1 scores.
The Panthers are now 11-3, two of those losses coming to ranked opponents. Three of Georgia State pairs went undefeated on Saturday.
In the first match of the day, the Panthers defeated Mercer 4-1. At the No. 2 flight, Sara Olivova and Jansen Button defeated Emma Peel and Victoria Penrod 21-18, 21-18. At the third flight, Katelyn Rawls and Sarah Agnew defeated Zoe Becton and Emily Rochefort 21-14, 21-15. Both the fourth and fifth flights went three sets, but the Panthers prevailed in both matches.
At the fourth flight, Milani Pickering and Natalie Wilson defeated Erin Brett and Hannah Sorensen 14-21, 21-16, 15-13. At the No. 5 flight, Alexis Townsend and Delaney Rohan defeated Caroline Carlton and Avery Hoven 21-13, 18-21, 15-6.
In GSU's second match of the day, the Panthers defeated College of Charleston 4-1. At the first flight, Moriah Bellissimo and Katie Madewell defeated Darcy Dorton and Emily Neideffer 21-13, 21-12. At the second flight, Button and Olivova picked up their second win of the day over Melissa Morello and Cara Howley 21-19, 21-15.
At the fourth flight, Pickering and Wilson defeated Kari Fidelholtz and Catey Warren 20-22, 21-17, 15-17. At the fifth flight, Townsend and Rohan defeated Kallie McKown and Maddie Hills 21-17, 21-13.
"We continue to raise our standard of play each time we step into the sand," head coach Beth Van Fleet said. "Today was no exception. We battled with several strong pairs from Mercer and College of Charleston and our game grew with each point."
The Panthers will be back in action on Sunday against Florida State and South Carolina.
Georgia State 4, Mercer 1
1. Jamie Duffy/Natalie Braun (MER) def. Moriah Bellissimo/Katie Madewell (GSU) 16-21, 21-14, 15-7
2. Sara Olivova/Jansen Button (GSU) def. Emma Peel/Victoria Penrod (MER) 21-18, 21-18
3. Katelyn Rawls/Sarah Agnew (GSU) def. Zoe Becton/Emily Rochefort (MER) 21-14, 21-19
4. Milani Pickering/Natalie Wilson (GSU) def. Erin Brett/Hannah Sorensen (MER) 14-21, 21-16, 15-13
5. Alexis Townsend/Delaney Rohan (GSU) def. Caroline Carlton/Avery Hoven (MER) 21-13, 18-21, 15-6
Georgia State 4, College of Charleston 1
1. Moriah Bellissimo/Katie Madewell (GSU) def. Darcy Dorton/Emily Neideffer (CofC) 21-13, 21-12
2. Jansen Button/Sara Olivova (GSU) def. Melissa Morello/Cara Howley (CofC) 21-19, 21-15
3. Sloane White/Andi Zbojniewicz (CofC) def. Katelyn Rawls/Sarah Agnew (GSU) 18-21, 21-15, 15-13
4. Milani Pickering/Natalie Wilson (GSU) def. Kari Fidelholtz/Catey Warren (CofC) 20-22, 21-17, 15-7
5. Alexis Townsend/Delaney Rohan (GSU) def. Kallie McKown/Maddie Hills (CofC) 21-17, 21-13
