By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Tennessee Tech beach volleyball team wrapped up play at the Carolina Challenge Sunday afternoon, falling in a pair of tilts to North Florida and New Orleans while competing at Wheeler Beach.
"This weekend was exactly what we'd thought it would be," Tech head coach Zach Weinberg said, "a challenge and a great opportunity for learning. Some pairs had good moments, but we couldn't put enough of them together to steal a match or two against two very experienced and very solid teams. We'll grow from this experience and be ready for UT Martin in 12 days."
The Golden Eagles (3-5) showed fight in a number of sets throughout the day, starting with the first tilt of the day against the Ospreys of North Florida (7-3).
In the No. 4 position, Ava Schubert and McKenna Young fell in a tight, opening set by a score of 21-17. Oliva Taylor and Katie DiRaimondo combined to form the No. 5 duo for Tech, dropping a close, 21-16 decision in the second set of the match-up.
Moving on to the afternoon dual with New Orleans (6-5), MK Roberts and Skylar Boom were right in the fight in set two at the No. 2 slot, eventually falling 21-16. Young and Shubert made a push in their opening set in the No. 4 dual before being upended 21-16.
Next on tap for the Golden Eagles is the first Ohio Valley Conference weekend of the year, taking place in Chattanooga from Friday, Mar. 22 through Saturday, Mar. 23. Tech will take on UT Martin at 11:00 a.m. before squaring off with Lindenwood at 5:00 p.m. Day two will feature an 11:00 a.m. tilt with Eastern Illinois and a 5:00 p.m. match-up against host Chattanooga.
File photo by Jim Dillon
