JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Eckerd beach volleyball team fell to Mercer University (Ga.) 4-1, and Jacksonville University 3-2 at the Payne Sand Volleyball Courts at Dolphin Beach in Jacksonville.
Eckerd (6-16) fell in their first match of the day to Mercer (16-8) 4-1.
In a tightly contested match, Brooke Hand and Anna Jupin delivered a strong performance in the No. 1 pairing for the Tritons. The duo triumphed over their opponents in straight sets, winning 21-19 and 21-18. Teagan VanderMey and Ella Kloepper kicked off their first match with a strong 21-17 win in the first set against the Bears. Despite a tough 21-12 loss in the second set, they battled fiercely in the deciding third set. The pairing fought hard but were narrowly edged out, falling 17-15.
The other three matches resulted in straight-set losses for the Tritons, though the No. 4 and No. 5 pairings both delivered tightly contested battles.
Eckerd's second match concluded in a close 3-2 defeat to Jacksonville University (9-13).
Addie White and Madison Hardbarger dropped the first set 21-19, but quickly bounced back, clinching the second set 21-17. The duo dominated in the third set, shutting down their opponents to record a 15-8 victory. Emma Samuelson and Mariana OlivaresCely delivered a dominant performance against the Dolphins, securing a convincing straight-set victory, 21-15 and 21-10.
Hand and Jupin narrowly missed a comeback in their second match of the day, falling 22-20 and 21-17 in a tough battle. Meanwhile, the other two matches resulted in straight-set defeats for the Tritons.
The Tritons will be back at the Payne Sand Volleyball Courts on Sunday, taking on Mercer again at 9:00 AM and Jacksonville at 3:30 PM.
Results
Game One
Mercer University 4, Eckerd 1
1. Brooke Hand and Anna Jupin (ECBVB) def. Hollis Engel and Lexi Polychrones (MER) 21-19, 21-18
2. Liv Diaz and Jordan Paddock (MER) def. Addie White and Madison Hardbarger (ECBVB) 21-15, 21-9
3. Kate Hardie and Sydney Benson (MER) def. Teagan VanderMey and Ella Kloepper (ECBVB) 17-21, 21-12, 17-15
4. Nicole O'Mara and Kathryn Corbett (MER) def. Jocelyn Escoffery and Marti Lu Boser (ECBVB) 21-18, 21-15
5. Grace Rathburn and Reese Hood (MER) def. Emma Samuelson and Mariana OlivaresCely (ECBVB) 21-18, 21-18
Game Two
Jacksonville University 3, Eckerd 2
1. Emily Kubicsko and Claire Mrukowski (JU) def. Brooke Hand and Anna Jupin (ECBVB) 22-20, 21-17
2. Addie White and Madison Hardbarger (ECBVB) def. Morgan Perry and Katie Martinez (JU) 19-21, 21-17, 15-8
3. Kristina Nika and Hayden Garnett (JU) def. Teagan VanderMey and Ella Kloepper (ECBVB) 21-11, 21-14
4. Kelly Erhard and Miller Reames (JU) def. Jocelyn Escoffery and Marti Lu Boser (ECBVB) 21-11, 21-18
5. Emma Samuelson and Mariana OlivaresCely (ECBVB) def. Amanda Cunningham and Colleen Ziegelmaier (JU) 21-15, 21-10
