Tritons Fall in AVCA Opener

TAVARES, Fla. - The Eckerd beach volleyball team opened the AVCA Small College Championships with matches against Concordia Irvine (Calif.) and Saint Leo. The Tritons dropped both matches, 3-1, on Friday afternoon.

Nicki Bechtold and Martina Melicherova picked up the lone win in the No. 3 pairing against Concordia Irvine. Bechtold and Melicherova took their match in two straight sets, 21-19, 21-16.

Dana Dull and Joelle Coulter rounded out the Tritons' wins on the day, taking the No. 2 flight against Saint Leo. The duo defeated Emma Miller and Ignacia Cortinez, 21-12, 21-19. 

Addie White and Anna Jupin fell in two close matches in the No. 4 slot against the Lions, only falling 21-19 in both sets. 

The Tritons continue at the AVCA Championship tomorrow, taking on Carson-Newman (Tenn.) at 10:10 AM. 

CONCORDIA IRVINE  3, ECKERD 1

1. Hannah Phair (CI) def. Agata Sklepik/Kitana Lim (ECK) 21-16, 21-16
2. Nicki Bechtold/Martina Melicherova (ECK) def. Tatum Smith/Hailee Ryan (CI) 21-19, 21-16
3. Eva Prewitt/Kelissa Lemoine (CI) def. Addie White/Anna Jupin (ECK) 21-11, 21-12
4. Carly Moreno/Lily Dyer (CI) def. Sophia Romigh/Mariana Olivares-Cely (ECK) 21-13, 21-17

SAINT LEO 3, ECKERD 1

1. Aliya Fredette-Huffm/Jeanette Henderson (SLU) def. Agata Sklepik/Kitana Lim (ECK) 21-19, 21-11
2. Dana Dull/Joelle Coulter (ECK) def. Emma Miller/Ignacia Cortinez (SLU) 21-12, 21-19
3. Kayla David/Julia Panko (SLU) def. Nicki Bechtold/Martina Melicherova (ECK) 21-11, 21-16
4. Elizabeth Sandoval/Leeann Potter (SLU) def. Addie White/Anna Jupin (ECK) 21-19, 21-19