WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Stevenson University women's beach volleyball program made its debut on Sunday, competing in a double dual match against Carson-Newman University at Eckerd College. The Mustangs became the first NCAA Division III program to compete in the sport as they fell to the Eagles 4-1 and 5-0.
Sophomore Annika Schwartz and junior Megan Hren became the first tandem to record a point for Stevenson, winning at No. 2 against Carson-Newman's Molly Locke and Maddie Zybert 21-18, 18-21, 17-15. The Eagles took the other four matches in the first dual in straight sets.
In the second dual, the No. 3, 4 and 5 matches all went to three sets. Junior Sara Bollinger and sophomore Lauren Weaver took the second set at No. 3 by a 22-20 score, while at No. 4, sophomores Deanna Bradbury and Katie McGuire won the first set 22-20. At No. 5, freshmen Moriah Savage and Grace Coleman took a 21-16 win in the second set.
Stevenson returns to action Tuesday when it faces Florida Gulf Coast in a 4:00 match in Estero, Florida.
Carson-Newman 4, Stevenson 1
1) Ally King/Katie Will (CNU) def. Kristin Brooks/Samantha Perillo (STE) 21-10, 21-10
2) Annika Schwartz/Megan Hren (STE) def. Molly Locke/Maddie Zybert (CNU) 21-18, 18-21, 17-15
3) Taylor Lowe/Sara Fairley (CNU) def. Sara Bollinger/Lauren Weaver (STE) 21-5, 21-11
4) Kristina Hill/Natalie Harris (CNU) def. Deana Bradbury/Katie McGuire (SRE) 21-14, 21-14
5) Megan Morris/Eileen Anderson (CNU) def. Grace Coleman/Moriah Savage (STE) 21-12, 22-20
Carson-Newman 5, Stevenson 0
1) King/Will (CNU) def. Brooks/Perillo (STE) 21-12, 21-14
2) Locke/Sybert (CNU) def. Schwartz/Hren (STE) 21-17, 21-14
3) Lowe/Fairley (CNU) def. Bollinger/Weaver (STE) 21-18, 20-22, 15-8
4) Hill/Harris (CNU) def. Bradbury/McGuire (SRE) 20-22, 21-15, 15-12
5) Allie Foster/Hannah Robinson (CNU) def. Coleman/Savage (STE) 21-19, 16-21, 15-11
RECORDS: CNU 5-4, STE 0-2
