WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Tusculum University women’s beach volleyball team won its opener over Barry at the Palm Beach Atlantic Tournament before falling to Tampa and the hosting Sailfish.
Tusculum (11-8) finishes out the weekend event on Saturday (Mar. 23) against Eckerd and Spring Hill.
Match 1: Tusculum 5, Barry 0
The Pioneers blew past the Buccaneers, who are in the midst of their inaugural campaign.
At the top flight, Morgan Browne and Olivia Browne needed a third set to put away their opposites by scores of 22-24, 21-16, 15-7.
Kyla Oppenhuis and Brynn Smith teamed up for a 21-16, 21-14 victory at No. 2.
As the 3’s, Riley Rushing and Hannah Marsh recorded a 21-16, 21-15 decision.
Katie McLamb and Charlyn Miller notched a 21-16, 21-1 win at No. 4.
In the fifth flight, Katie Murphy and Morgan Willis were victorious by scores of 21-8, 21-13.
Match 2: RV Tampa 4, Tusculum 1
The Browne twins took the top flight from the national powerhouse Spartans as TU’s lone point.
At No. 1, the Brownes tallied a 21-18, 21-17 winning decision.
Smith and Oppenhuis fell by the reverse scores (21-7, 21-18) at the second flight.
The duo of Rushing and Marsh were on the wrong side of a 21-15, 21-13 result.
Miller and McLamb kept it close at No. 4, but fell 21-18, 21-19.
Rounding out the match was Murphy and Willis at No. 5: 21-15, 21-11.
Match 3: Palm Beach Atlantic 4, Tusculum 1
Miller and McLamb continued their solid day as the 4’s for the Pioneers.
The fourth pairing registered a 21-10, 21-19 victory.
At the top flight, the Browne sisters nearly pulled off a comeback with scores of 16-21, 21-13, 13-15.
Smith and Oppenhuis fell 21-18, 21-15 at No. 2, while Rushing and Marsh tallied a 21-14, 21-11 deficit.
Murphy and Willis wrapped up the scores with a 21-16, 21-10 loss.
