By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director
LAGRANGE, Ga. – Back in action right away, LaGrange (0-4) wrapped up the opening weekend of the season with a pair of 5-0 losses to Carson-Newman (4-0) and Truett-McConnell (2-2, 0-0 SUN) and in NCAA beach volleyball action on Saturday, February 4.
CARSON-NEWMAN 5, LAGRANGE 0
Having won their first three matches of the season, including a 5-0 decision over the Panthers yesterday, C-NU worked their way down the order, beginning with a 21-8, 21-9 victory by Truth Hafey and Sierra Still over senior Bailey Moss (Jupiter, Fla.) and freshman Zentrina Choice (Sumter, S.C.).
Following that top spot contest, freshman Riley Morgan (Jackson, Ga.) and junior Carmen Hamilton (Alpharetta, Ga.) fell by identical 21-9 scores to Ava Fountain and Abbey Hildenbrand at the No. 2 position. Freshman Morgan Martin (Chelsea, Ala.) and freshman Alexis Childers (Adairsville, Ga.) then fell 21-8, 21-5 to the tandem of Julia Wheeler and McKenna Hall.
Senior Vianca Colon-Gonzalez (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) and freshman Rhaya Harwell (Austell, Ga.) would then round out the matches as they fell 21-11, 21-11 to Taylor Keeran and Kenzie Palmer at No. 4. The Eagles reached the final margin with a forfeit victory at the fifth spot.
TRUETT-MCCONNELL 5, LAGRANGE 0
TMU would build on the 1-0 lead from the fifth place forfeit as Emma Boland and Leah Bowen picked up a 21-11, 21-11 decision over Moss and Choice at the top position.
Morgan and Hamilton put up a fight in the opening set before falling 21-13 and 21-9 to Jordan Roberts and Deomi Valmus at No. 2 and Martin and Childers finished No. 3 at 21-14, 21-8. Sonya Silecky and Kaleigh McFarland then closed out the 5-0 victory with a 21-9, 21-6 decision over Colon-Gonzalez and Harwell at the four spot.
The Panthers will see both of these teams when they return to action at the Truett-McConnell Tournament from February 10-11. They will take on C-NU and Huntingdon on the opening day before facing St. Andrews and host TMU on the final day.
CARSON-NEWMAN 5, LAGRANGE 0
No. 1. Truth Hafey/Sierra Still (C-NU) def. Bailey Moss/Zentrina Choice (LC) 21-8, 21-9
No. 2. Ava Fountain/Abbey Hildenbrand (C-NU) def. Riley Morgan/Carmen Hamilton (LC) 21-9, 21-9
No. 3. Julia Wheeler/McKenna Hall (C-NU) def. Morgan Martin/Alexis Childers (LC) 21-8, 21-5
No. 4. Taylor Keeran/Kenzie Palmer (C-NU) def. Vianca Colon-Gonzalez/Rhaya Harwell (LC) 21-11, 21-11
No. 5. No Players - Forfeit (LC)
TRUETT-MCCONNELL 5, LAGRANGE 0
No. 1. Emma Boland/Leah Bowen (TMU) def. Bailey Moss/Zentrina Choice (LC) 21-11, 21-11
No. 2. Jordan Roberts/Deomi Valmus (TMU) def. Riley Morgan/Carmen Hamilton (LC) 21-13, 21-9
No. 3. Katie Williams/Madyson Dunn (TMU) def. Morgan Martin/Alexis Childers (LC) 21-14, 21-8
No. 4. Sonya Silecky/Kaleigh McFarland (TMU) def. Vianca Colon-Gonzalez/Rhaya Harwell (LC) 21-9, 21-6
No. 5. No Players - Forfeit (LC)
