ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Playing through swirling winds, the Eckerd beach volleyball team dropped its opening match, 3-2, to Mercer at the fifth annual Battle on the Bay at the North Shore Courts Saturday morning. The Tritons remaining two matches in the afternoon were canceled due to inclement weather.
Eckerd (3-10) picked up the first two points over the Bears for an early advantage.
The tandem of Izabela Gorys and Agata Sklepik breezed to a 21-12, 21-17 victory out of the No. 4 slot. The Tritons collected the win in the No. 5 draw as Mercer was unable to field a pairing in the slot.
The Bears (9-12) then took the top three flights in straight sets for the comeback victory.
Eckerd and No. 20 Florida Gulf Coast were in the middle of their 4:00 PM match before storms rolled in, canceling the match with the Eagles and the ensuing contest with Tampa.
The Tritons return to the courts Wednesday with a pair of matches at No. 20 Florida Gulf Coast starting at 11:00 AM.
Mercer 3, Eckerd 2
1. Gracie Garanich/Emilee Wissmach (MER) def. Kitana Lim/Serena Baumgart (ECBVB) 21-13, 21-12
2. Olivia Boeve/Elli Merchant (MER) def. Joelle Coulter/Manaia Rewi (ECBVB) 21-15, 21-17
3. Kacy Ogden/Maddie Nunley (MER) def. Dana Dull/Anna Jungjohann (ECBVB) 21-17, 21-19
4. Izabela Gorys/Agata Sklepik (ECBVB) def. Ellie Miller/Aggie Paskevic (MER) 21-12, 21-17
5. Sam Crankshaw/Martina Melicherova (ECBVB) def. No player/No player (MER), by default
