March 29, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina sand volleyball team fell short of closing out its home schedule with a win, as No. 6 Florida International edged the Gamecocks 3-2 on Sunday to wrap up the Palmetto Invitational at the Carolina Sand Volleyball Complex.
With the loss, the Gamecocks fall to 11-5 on the season, including a 6-3 record at home. FIU improves to 13-1 on the year.
The Panthers took a 1-0 lead with a win in the No. 4 pairs match. Carolina’s Jade Hayes and Macie Tendrich dropped the first set to Anna Budinska and Martyna Gluchowicz, 21-16. The Gamecock duo made a strong push for a third set, battling back and forth with Budinska and Gluchowicz before losing 30-28.
In their final home dual, Gamecock seniors Paige Wheeler and Megan Kent ended on a strong note at No. 2 as they tied the dual at 1-1 with a win over Kristine Monforte and Summer Nash by the scores of 18-21, 21-14 and 15-11.
In the No. 5 pairs match, FIU’s Aren Cupp and Tina Toghiyani gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead as they defeated Carolina’s KoKo Atoa-Williams and Allie Monserez by the scores of 21-16 and 21-15.
Carolina’s top pair of Maddie Frome and Julia Mannisto fell in the first set to Maryna Samoday and Anja Licka, 21-16. The Gamecock tandem fought to force a third set but eventually lost the second set 22-20, as FIU took a 3-1 lead to clinch the win.
The Gamecocks scored the final point at No. 3, as Jade Vitt and Sarah Blomgren swept FIU’s Darija Sataric and Marina Boulanger by the scores of 21-17 and 21-19.
In the exhibition match, the Panthers’ pair of Kari Peterson and Anabela Sataric slipped past Carolina’s Erin Neuenfeldt and Litsa Darby in three sets by the scores of 15-21, 21-14 and 20-18.
The Gamecocks will have this week off before returning to action on April 11-12 at the Fiesta on Siesta Key in Siesta Key, Fla.
Results
No. 6 FIU 3, South Carolina 2
No. 1: Maryna Samoday/Anja Licka (FIU) def. Maddie Frome/Julia Mannisto (SC) 21-16, 22-20
No. 2: Paige Wheeler/Megan Kent (SC) def. Kristine Monforte/Summer Nash (FIU) 18-21, 21-14, 15-11
No. 3: Jade Vitt/Sarah Blomgren (SC) def. Darija Sataric/Marina Boulanger (FIU) 21-17, 21-19
No. 4: Anna Budinska/Martyna Gluchowicz (FIU) def. Jade Hayes/Macie Tendrich (SC) 21-15, 30-28
No. 5: Aren Cupp/Tina Toghiyani (FIU) def. KoKo Atoa-Williams/Allie Monserez (SC) 21-16, 21-15
Exh.: Kari Peterson/Anabela Sataric (FIU) def. Erin Neuenfeldt/Litsa Darby (SC) 15-21, 21-14, 20-18
