TAVARES, Fla. - The Eckerd beach volleyball team took a step toward winning its second Small College Championship in three years, going a perfect 3-0 on the first day of the tournament, and set a new programs win record in the process.
Eckerd (16-5) won both its pool play matches, defeating Spring Hill (Ala.) and Saint Leo by matching scores of 4-1. Â That earned the Tritons the No. 2 seed in bracket play, where EC swept Florida Southern 5-0 to advance to the semifinals.
The No. 1 team of
Kaitlyn Sibson and
Paula Hoffmann extended their winning streak to 20 matches with a trio of straight-sets wins.
Madison Whiting and
Arielle Erillo also went unbeaten, including a pair of three-set wins. Â The duo overcame a 21-12 loss in the first set against Florida Southern to win the next two, 21-12 and 15-12.
Kali Boatwright and
Stephanie Bogda, the No. 5 pair, had a flawless day as well with three wins. Â The duo held on for a three-set win against Spring Hill in the first contest of the day, then picked up straight-sets wins against Saint Leo and Florida Southern.
The Tritons eclipsed the program record for the most wins in a season, which was previously 14 set last year.
Eckerd will face third-seeded Tampa on Sunday at 10:00 AM in the semifinals of the Division II bracket. Â Should the Tritons win, they advance to the championship at 1:00 PM.
RESULTS: Eckerd vs. Spring Hill |
Eckerd vs. Saint Leo |
Eckerd vs. Florida SouthernÂ
