GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Tusculum University women’s beach volleyball team went a perfect 3-0 on the first day of the Badger Beach Bash on Friday (Mar. 1).
Next, Tusculum (5-3) continues its stay at Gulf Shores, taking on Division III powerhouses Hendrix and Huntingdon on Saturday (Mar. 2), the former being the reigning national champion.
Match 1: Tusculum 3, Berry 1
The Pioneers have swept the season series over the Vikings with the result of their second meeting.
Riley Rushing and Hannah Marsh claimed the clinching point at No. 3 via a 21-17, 21-15 decision.
Charlyn Miller and Katie McLamb were victorious (21-18, 21-8) in the fourth flight.
Diana Bierwagen and Emily Venable won their No. 5 matchup by scores of 21-16, 21-10.
At the No. 6 exhibition flight, Ashley Hall and Morgan Martin won 21-19, 21-10.
The lone loss came at the top spot. Kyla Oppenhuis and Brynn Smith fell by identical 21-17 scores.
The No. 2 flight of Olivia Browne and Morgan Browne was headed to a third set when the match was clinched.
Match 2: Tusculum 3, Spring Hill 2
Marsh and Rushing clinched the match for the Pioneers at the third flight for the second-straight match. Tusculum was down 0-2 before storming back for the victory using three-set thrillers.
Oppenhuis/Smith lost 21-17, 21-16 at the top flight, while Morgan Willis and Katie Murphy collected a 21-15, 21-13 loss at No. 5.
The Browne twins edged out their No. 2 opponent by scores of 21-17, 17-21, 15-13.
At No. 4, the Miller and McLamb duo used overtime to snag their 25-23, 18-21, 15-13 victory.
Rushing and Marsh pulled off a reverse sweep to win the match for the Pioneers at No. 3 via a 14-21, 21-16, 15-11 rally.
Additionally, Kassidy Mercado and Morgan Pacione won their exhibition match at No. 6, 21-9, 17-21, 15-13.
Match 3: Tusculum 3, Stevenson 0
The Pioneers just needed three complete matches to sweep the Mustangs. For the third time today, Marsh and Rushing clinched.
The Browne sisters (21-13, 21-9) and Miller/McLamb (21-10, 21-11) won easily at the Nos. 2 and 4 flights, respectively.
Rushing and Marsh needed a third set to complete their come from behind victory by scores of 21-23, 21-16, 15-13.
Sage Dunne and Mia Johnson lost their exhibition flight in three sets: 18-21, 21-16, 9-15.
Both the top flight of Oppenhuis/Smith and fifth flight of Bierwagen/Venable went unfinished.
