By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – It was a historic day for the Tennessee Tech beach volleyball team Friday, as the Golden Eagles not only kicked off its inaugural campaign, but also claimed victory in its first-ever match.
The purple and gold prevailed over Spartanburg Methodist (0-2), earning a 4-1 victory on the opening day of the Berry College Tournament in the team's first action against another opponent. The Golden Eagles (1-1) fell to an undefeated Carson-Newman (10-0) squad, 4-1, immediately following its first match.
"What a historic day for Tennessee Tech beach volleyball," Golden Eagle head coach Zach Weinberg expressed. "To win our first-ever dual was an amazing moment for the team, and to push a very good Carson-Newman team in the very next dual with no break made for an exciting day in the sand. Today was a big first step toward becoming a 'beach team,' rather than just an 'indoor team playing in the sand.'
The No. 4 duo of Morgan Gish and Jordan Karlen registered the first official win for the Cookeville crew, registering a clean sweep over SMC's Marrit Preusting and Sidney Russell, 21-10 and 21-13. Quick to make it a 2-0 lead, the No. 5 team of Bella Powell and Olivia Taylor bested Callie Wzorek and Racquel Talley with wins of 21-10 and 21-9.
Spartanburg Methodist salvaged a win with Tayla Reini and Joanna Barr edging Tech's No. 3 combo of Brook Amann and McKenna Young, 23-21 and 21-14. Tech's No. 1 squad of Skylar Boom and Aleeya Jones clinched the victory for the purple and gold, earning victories of 23-21 and 21-10 over Zuzanne Michalaka and Delaney Castro.
For good measure, the No. 2 Golden Eagle squad of Madolyn Isringhausen and Jazmine Yamilkoski rallied after a 22-20 defeat in the opening set with Kendall Meinders and Aurora Aho, ripping off victories of 21-17 and 15-8. In exhibition action, Tech's Katie DiRaimondo and Emma Pabon downed Elina Harper and Ashley Gagdon, 21-10 and 21-16.
Against Carson-Newman, the combo of Gish and Karlen moved into the No. 3 role for the Golden Eagles and stayed unbeaten on the young season. The duo downed Mia Toribio and Taylor Keeran after falling behind 21-16, rallying for wins of 21-15 and 15-12.
"We were exposed in ways that only come from playing more experienced competition, and the coaching staff saw great strides being made in learning and execution as the day went along," Weinberg explained. "Morgan and Jordan had a great comeback against Carson Newman to wrap up a 2-0 day for that pairing at two different spots in the lineup. All in all, this was a great first dual day for Tech beach volleyball and we're excited to get back in the sand and continue competing tomorrow."
The Golden Eagles will round out action at the Berry College Tournament Saturday morning, squaring off with host Berry College at 7:00 a.m. CT and then taking on Bob Jones University in an 11:00 a.m. tilt.
Photo courtesy of Berry College Sports Information
