Beach Volleyball Sweeps First Day at Carolina Challenge

Saturday, March 9

Columbia, S.C.

1 p.m.

University of North Florida

New Orleans

Michaela Rezentes setting up Taylor Pierce for the kill

Photo by: Logan Romine

3/9/2024 8:00:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Ospreys Secure Wins Over New Orleans, South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. - North Florida beach volleyball (7-3) swept the first day of the Carolina Challenge with a 5-0 sweep of New Orleans (5-4) and a thrilling 3-2 win against hosts South Carolina (5-5) on Saturday afternoon at Wheeler Beach.

The Ospreys made it four straight sweeps all-time in its win over New Orleans, while evening the all-time series in its victory against South Carolina. The pairs of Taylor Pierce/Michaela Rezentes and Mariana Feliciano Sanchez/Mackenzie Murphy went undefeated on the day to improve their records to 7-3 and 9-1, respectively.

UNF 5, New Orleans 0
Saturday, March 9 | Columbia, S.C. | Wheeler Beach

UNF kicked off its first match of the Carolina Challenge with a dominant win over New Orleans. Cameron Humphries and Hayden Wooldridge nabbed the first match point for the Ospreys in a quick two sets. Feliciano Sanchez/Murphy followed suit to give UNF an early two-point lead. The Ospreys would secure each of the remaining match points in two sets with Iris Fletcher and Hallie Phelan closing out the first win of the weekend for UNF.

Results

Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) def. Hannah Volpi/Valerie Vujnovich (UNO) 21-18, 21-14
Taylor Pierce/Michaela Rezentes (UNF) def. Maria Ozaeta/Bria Garmon (UNO) 22-20, 21-15
Iris Fletcher/Hallie Phelan (UNF) def. Marie Hardouin/Serena Baumgart (UNO) 26-24, 21-18
Mariana Feliciano Sanchez/Mackenzie Murphy (UNF) def. Nikelle Lander/Ivana de Carvalho Peixe (UNO)
Cameron Humphries/Hayden Wooldridge (UNF) def. Ashley Salazar/Ola Filip (UNO) 21-17, 21-11
Madeline Camp/Katie Camp (UNF) def. Stephanie Gonzalez/Rita Zecchin (UNO) 21-15, 21-10

Match Notes
North Florida 6-3
New Orleans 5-4
Order of Finish: 5,4,1,2,3

UNF 3, South Carolina 2
Saturday, March 9 | Columbia, S.C.| Wheeler Beach

The Ospreys produced another classic in a rainy match against tournament hosts South Carolina. UNF jumped out to an early lead with wins from Feliciano Sanchez/Murphy and Humphries/Wooldridge. The Gamecocks claimed the next two match points leaving it down to a tiebreaker. Pierce and Rezentes would clinch match point for the Ospreys in two sets holding off a South Carolina comeback to start the weekend 2-0.

Results

Riley Whitesides/Hannah Mackenhausen (SC) def. Presley Murray/Madison Espy (UNF) 21-18, 21-15
Taylor Pierce/Michaela Rezentes (UNF) def. Skylar Allen/Allison Coens (SC) 21-19, 21-19
Jolie Cranford/Peyton Yamagata (SC) def. Iris Fletcher/Hallie Phelan (UNF) 21-14, 21-12
Mariana Feliciano Sanchez/Mackenizie Murphy (UNF) def. Abigail Lagemann/Chase Teal (SC) 22-20, 23-21
Cameron Humphries/Hayden Wooldridge (UNF) def. Morgan Downs/Sophia Bengoechea (SC) 22-20, 18-21, 15-13
McKenzie Nichols/Evie Ziffer (SC) def. Madeline Camp/Katie Camp (UNF) 23-25, 21-14, 17-15

Match Notes
North Florida 7-3
South Carolina 5-5
Order of Finish: 4,5,3,1,2
Overcast, high 60s, rain started just before first serves

Up Next
The Ospreys conclude the Carolina Challenge on Sunday, Mar. 10 with matches against Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.