ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd beach volleyball team started the final week of the season hosting NCAA Division I Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday afternoon, falling 4-1 to the Eagles at the Eckerd Beach Courts.
The Tritons (8-10) had a chance to grab an early lead after
Kali Boatwright and
Stephanie Bogda posted a win at the No. 4 position in straight sets (21-19, 21-18) over Caroline Jordan and Marlene Moeller. Both matches at the No. 3 and No. 5 spots went into a third set, but FGCU pulled out wins in both.
In the No. 5 position,
Mackenzie Redner and
Savanna Cary grabbed the first set from Elisa Aldrich and Madi Wilcox, 21-17, but dropped the next two by scores of 21-14 and 15-9.Â
Rachel Cornatzer and
Gabriella Reis forced a third set against Ashley Glickert and Karissa Rhoades by winning the second set, 21-16, but couldn't repeat the feat in the third set.
The Eagles then posted straight-sets wins in the top two positions to clinch the victory.
The Tritons head to the Fiesta at Siesta this weekend to compete in the small college division at Siesta Key.
FLORIDA GULF COAST 4, ECKERD 11. Ella Kazarian/Vanessa Benke (FGCU) def.
Tjasa Kotnik/
Kaitlyn Sibson: 21-17, 21-17
2. Amanda Carroll/Mackenzie Allen (FGCU) def.
Madison Whiting/
Arielle Erillo: 21-13, 21-11
3. Ashley Glickert/Karissa Rhoades (FGCU) def.
Rachel Cornatzer/
Gabriella Reis: 21-11, 16-21, 15-8
4.
Stephanie Bogda/
Kali Boatwright (EC) def. Caroline Jordan/Marlene Moeller: 21-19, 21-18
5. Elisa Aldrich/Madi Wilcox (FGCU) def.
Mackenzie Redner/
Savanna Cary: 17-21, 21-14, 15-9
Ext. Leigh Pudwill/Katie Puisis (FGCU) def.
Haylee Bilbray/
Maison Burr: 21-8, 21-8
