By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director
Boxscore (C-NU) I Boxscore (HC)
LAGRANGE, Ga. – LaGrange (0-6) returned to the courts and dropped a pair of 5-0 decisions to Carson-Newman (5-0) and Huntingdon (1-1) in NCAA beach volleyball action on Friday, February 10.
CARSON-NEWMAN 5, LAGRANGE 0
The Panthers began the day bright and early at 8:30 a.m. but would start in a 2-0 hole due to a shortage of players, resulting in No. 4 and No. 5 being counted as forfeits. Freshman Riley Morgan (Jackson, Ga.) and junior Carmen Hamilton (Alpharetta, Ga.) would then drop a 21-13, 21-6 decision at the top spot to Truth Hafey and Sierra Still.
Freshman Morgan Martin (Chelsea, Ala.) and freshman Alexis Childers (Adairsville, Ga.) would fair no better against Ava Fountain and Abbey Hildenbrand at the No. 2 position as they fell 21-4, 21-4. Julia Wheeler and McKenna Hall would then round out the sweep with a 21-5, 21-10 decision at the third position.
HUNTINGDON 5, LAGRANGE 0
The nightcap would also start with a two-point deficit, and while the result would be the same at 5-0, the way they got there against Huntingdon would not be. Following a 21-8, 21-5 decision by Ashlen Jankowski and Reece Rhodes over Morgan and Hamilton at No. 1, Martin and Childers would deliver an impressive showing at the No. 2 spot.
Taking on Veronica Tikhomirova and Izzy Valldeperas, the tandem would force the opening set past 21 points before dropping the frame by a narrow 22-20 score. They would challenge the duo in the second set as well, finishing at 21-14.
The third set would see Bea Lindwuist and Carolina Foote post identical 21-10, 21-10 results over senior Vianca Colon-Gonzalez (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) and freshman Rhaya Harwell (Austell, Ga.) to wrap up the victory.
The Panthers are right back in action tomorrow Saturday, February 10 as they take on St. Andrews and host Truett-McConnell. First serve is set for 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively.
CARSON-NEWMAN 5, LAGRANGE 0
No. 1. Truth Hafey/Sierra Still (C-NU) def. Riley Morgan/Carmen Hamilton (LC) 21-13, 21-6
No. 2. Ava Fountain/Abbey Hildenbrand (C-NU) def. Morgan Martin/Alexis Childers (LC) 21-4, 21-4
No. 3. Julia Wheeler/McKenna Hall (C-NU) def. Vianca Colon-Gonzalez/Rhaya Harwell (LC) 21-5, 21-10
No. 4. No Players - Forfeit (LC)
No. 5. No Players - Forfeit (LC)
HUNTINGDON 5, LAGRANGE 0
No. 1. Ashlen Jankowski/Reece Rhodes (HC) def. Riley Morgan/Carmen Hamilton (LC) 21-8, 21-5
No. 2. Veronica Tikhomirova/Izzy Valldeperas (HC) def. Morgan Martin/Alexis Childers (LC) 22-20, 21-14
No. 3. Bea Lindquist/Caroline Foote (LC) def. Vianca Colon-Gonzalez/Rhaya Harwell (LC) 21-10, 21-10
No. 4. No Players - Forfeit (LC)
No. 5. No Players - Forfeit (LC)
