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 (6-18) fell in their first match of the day to Mercer (17-8) 4-1.
Teagan VanderMey and Ella Kloepper picked up the lone Triton victory in the days opener, 21-18, 21-19 in the No. 2 flight.
Emma Samuelson and Mariana Olivares-Cely took the first set, but dropped their match in three sets.
Eckerd's second match concluded in a close 3-2 defeat to Jacksonville University (10-13).
Eckerd took the No. 3 and 4 flights from JU. Addie White and Madison Hardbarger grinded out a three-set victory after taking set one 21-15, the Dolphins forced a third set with a 21-17 victory in the second set. White and Harbarger clinched the point with a 15-13 third-set victory.
Samuelson and Olivares-Cely knocked off their opponent in two sets in the No. 4 position, with a 21-18, 21-15 two-set win.
Eckerd's second pairing of VanderMey and Kloepper forced a third set after dropping set one, but were not able to complete the comeback, falling 15-11 in set three.
The Tritons will play in the Sunshine State Conference Championship hosted by Saint Leo on April 11.
Results
Game One
Mercer University 4, Eckerd 1
1. Liv Diaz and Jordan Paddock (MER) def. Brooke Hand and Anna Jupin (ECBVB) 21-18, 21-23, 15-13
2. Teagan VanderMey and Ella Kloepper (ECBVB) def. Hollis Engel and Lexi Polychrones (MER) 21-18, 21-19
3. Kate Hardie and Sydney Benson (MER) def. Addie White and Madison Hardbarger (ECBVB) 21-16, 21-12
4. Nicole O'Mara and Kathryn Corbett (MER) def. Emma Samuelson and Mariana Olivares-Cely (ECBVB) 19-21, 21-9, 15-12
5. Kristi Talocka and Cyleigh Sayler (MER) def. Jocelyn Escoffery and Marti Lu Boser (ECBVB) 21-16, 21-16
Game Two
Jacksonville University 3, Eckerd 2
1. Emily Kubicsko and Claire Mrukowski (JU) def. Brooke Hand and Anna Jupin (ECBVB) 21-9, 21-15
2. Morgan Perry and Katie Martinez (JU) def. Teagan VanderMey and Ella Kloepper (ECBVB) 21-19, 21-23, 15-11
3. Addie White and Madison Hardbarger (ECBVB) def. Kristina Nika and Hayden Garnett (JU) 21-15, 17-21, 15-13
4. Emma Samuelson and Mariana Olivares-Cely (ECBVB) def. Kate Taylor and Meredith Mrukowski (JU) 21-18, 21-15
5. Kelly Erhard and Miller Reames (JU) def. Jocelyn Escoffery and Marti Lu Boser (ECBVB) 21-11, 21-16
