The South Carolina beach volleyball team began its season with a 3-2 victory over No. 17 North Florida on Friday morning in Jacksonville, Florida.
Julia Waugh and Evie Ziffer gave South Carolina an early lead by winning their match on court two, defeating North Florida’s Sophie Notaro and Cameron Humphries with scores of 21-18 and 21-19. On court one, the Gamecocks’ Brooke Balue and Rachel Hartmann lost to Presley Murray and Mackenzie Murphy of North Florida, 17-21, 19-21.
South Carolina regained momentum when Jolie Cranford and Peyton Yamagata secured a win on court three against Andrea Encinas Dasilva and Sam Crosby, finishing 22-20, 21-17. The deciding point came from Juju Quintero and Annalyse Askew on court four. They clinched the team victory for South Carolina by defeating Eden Anderson and Madi Espy in straight sets, 23-21, 21-19.
In other matches, Natalie Villalon and Ally Bunch of North Florida beat Virginia Trost and Grace Travis from South Carolina (24-22, 21-16). In an exhibition match, Raven Jordan and Alexandra Hennessey (UNF) won against Amelia Taft and Morgan Downs (USC), 21-14, 21-18.
South Carolina finished the opening match with three wins out of five official pairings against a ranked opponent.
