CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina beach volleyball opened up its 2021 season with not one, but two matches versus top-20 nationally-ranked opponents on day one of the Coastal Carolina Invitational Friday at the Coastal Carolina Beach Volleyball Complex in Conway, S.C.
The Sandy Chants fell to No. 16 Stetson 3-2 in the morning match and was shut out 5-0 versus No. 13 South Carolina in the afternoon contest.
The two losses drop CCU to 0-15 all-time versus nationally-ranked top-20 opponents. CCU also falls to 0-6 all-time against Stetson and 0-8 all-time versus South Carolina.
The Chanticleers (0-2) will return to action on day two of the Coastal Carolina Invitational tomorrow. CCU will take on the College of Charleston at 10 a.m. ET and UNCW at 4 p.m. ET.
Match 1: #16 Stetson 3, Coastal Carolina 2
Coastal Carolina looked to start the 2021 season with the program's first-ever win over a nationally-ranked opponent, however, the Chants fell to the No. 16 nationally-ranked Stetson Hatters 3-2 in the first of two home matches for CCU on Friday at the Coastal Carolina Invitational.
The Sandy Chants jumped out to a 2-0 lead, as the veterans
Kendra Lukacs and
Kalin Eske teamed up to win in straight sets 21-16, 21-8 at the No. 5 flight, while the duo of
Emma Gonzalez and
Carli Ginther overcame a first-set 21-19 loss to take the next two sets 21-14 and 16-14 to pick up the match win at the No. 4 spot.
However, the Hatters stormed back to tie the match up at 2-2 with straight-set wins on courts No. 2 and 3 before the Chants dropped a hard-fought contest 24-22, 21-18 at the No. 1 flight to fall to the Hatters 3-2.
Match 2: #13 South Carolina 5, Coastal Carolina 0
Coming off a near-upset of No. 16 Stetson in the morning contest, the Chanticleers would not sneak up on the No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks in the afternoon matchup, as the Gamecocks swept the Chants 5-0.
Despite being swept in the five-match bout, the Chants put up a valiant effort in the top-two flights, as the sophomore tandem of
Sarlota Svobodova and
Irena Drobnjak pushed the duo USC duo of Skylar Allen and Katie Smith 23-21, 21-14 on court No. 1, while CCU's team of
Lucy Campbell and
Martine Kragholm fell 23-21, 21-16 at No. 2 to Alyssa Keller and Abby Carroll.
Results
Match 1: #16 Stetson 3, Coastal Carolina 2
- Carly Perales/Ana Costa (STET) def. Irena Drobnjak/Sarlota Svobodova (CCU) – 24-22, 21-18
- Kamryn Johnson/Shae Henson (STET) def. Lucy Campbell/Martine Kragholm (CCU) – 21-8, 21-18
- Yasmin Kuck/Gabriella Bramante (STET) def. Sarah Riedell/Ellie Hanford (CCU) – 21-13, 21-17
- Emma Gonzalez/Carli Ginther (CCU) def. Madison Bobes/Brittany McLean (STET) – 19-21, 21-14, 16-14
- Kendra Lukacs/Kalin Eske (CCU) def. Alicia Harrington/Lauren Domel (STET) – 21-16, 21-18
EXT: Noelle Weintraub/Oda Stray Homme (STET) def.
Madison Allred/
Elena Sanchez (CCU) – 19-21, 21-18, 14-11
Order of finish (5, 4, 2, 1, 3)
Match 2: #13 South Carolina 5, Coastal Carolina 0
- Skylar Allen/Katie Smith (USC) def. Sarlota Svobodova/Irena Drobnjak (CCU) – 23-21, 21-14
- Alyssa Keller/Abby Carroll (USC) def. Lucy Campbell/Martine Kragholm (CCU) – 23-21, 21-16
- Madison Brabham/Hannah Mackenhausen (USC) def. Sarah Riedell/Ellie Hanford (CCU) – 21-12, 21-13
- Jordan Smith/Jess Vastine (USC) def. Carli Ginther/Emma Gonzalez (CCU) – 21-13, 21-12
- Carly Schnieder/Morgyn Greer (USC) def. Kendra Lukacs/Kalin Eske (CCU) – 21-13, 21-19
EXT: Kaeli Crews/Sophie Bengoechea (USC) def.
Ashton Dunnigan/
Elena Sanchez (CCU) – 21-18, 21-8
Order of finish (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
For complete coverage of CCU beach volleyball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalBeachVB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUsports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
