TAVARES, Fla. - An injury-riddled season came to an end for the Eckerd beach volleyball team at the AVCA Small Championships at the Hickory Point Beach Complex over the weekend.
The Tritons entered every match down 2-0 as the team was only able to field three pairs due to injuries. Â Still, Eckerd battled to earn one victory and came close to winning two more despite the automatic deficit.
Eckerd began Saturday morning with a 3-2 win over Stevenson (Md.) University fueled by three-set victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 draw. Â Margot Balliet and
Fernanda Reis scored a quick 21-12, 21-14 win in the No. 2 spot while
Payton Meader and
Ivey Andrews came back from dropping the first set at No. 3, 23-21, to take 21-13 and 15-10 wins in the next two sets.
Stephanie Bogda and
Rebekah Machovec also overcame a 21-13 first-set loss in the No. 1 draw after emerging with 21-19 and 15-10 wins in the second and third sets.
In Challenge Pool Play, the Tritons (2-22) dropped matches to Colorado Mesa and Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) by narrow 3-2 margins. Â Balliet and Reis won at the No. 2 draw in both contests.
The season concluded in the semifinals of the Bronze Playoffs after falling to Tusculum (Tenn.), 4-1.
POOL PLAY RESULTS
Saint Leo 5, Eckerd 0
Texas A&M Kingsville 5, Eckerd 0
Eckerd 3, Stevenson 2
CHALLENGE POOL PLAY RESULTS
Colorado Mesa 3, Eckerd 2
Lincoln Memorial 3, Eckerd 2
BRONZE PLAYOFF BRACKET
Tusculum 3, Eckerd 2
