University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
ULM
Golden Eagles Upend ULM 4-1, Earn First CCSA Win in Program History
2/24/2020 3:39:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
"I'm excited for the girls because we've been putting in work and it didn't quite show on Saturday," Taylor said. "I think a lot of that was attributed to UNO coming out and putting pressure on us. We came out tight and I think they wanted to get that first win so bad that we didn't really relax and play our game.
"I thought today we were relaxed and played our game. They've been working really hard and we've had cold days, we've had rainy days, and when you put in that kind of effort you want to see the fruits of your labor. Today was one of those days where we got rewarded."
The Golden Eagles jumped to a 1-0 lead after Kinsley Hanback and Kellie Garraway were able to hold onto a three-set win on court five. The sophomores edged out Allie Kemp and Elizabeth Moreland in the first set before ULM's pair dominated the second set. In the winner-take-all third set, Garraway wrapped up the win with a big swing at the net that found open sand. Minutes later, Breleigh Favre and Olivia Hepworth used a 15-3 third-set run to put together a dominant comeback on court four against Abbie Elder and Bailey Smith. Kaile Tuisamatatele and Lindsey Smith fell in the exhibition match on court six in straight sets.
Haley Hop and Hallie Phelan moved to 3-0 after winning in straight sets against Audrey Brooks and Holland Ponthieux. That win secured the Golden Eagles their first team win of the season and first CCSA win in Southern Miss history. On the middle court, Abbey Wilson and Kylie Grandy cruised to a 2-0 win against Gabby Love and Kayla Gallant at the top pairing. The Golden Eagles were denied a team sweep when Julia Blazek and Grace Convey edged out Piper Matsumoto and Madison Lawler in three sets.The Golden Eagles will return to the sand on March 6 when they head to Covington, La. for the UNO Beach Volleyball Invitational.
Results
1. Kylie Grandy/Abbey Wilson (USM) def. Gabby Love/Kayla Gallant (ULM) 21-16, 22-20
2. Grace Convey/Julia Blazek (ULM) def. Piper Matsumoto/Madison Lawler (USM) 21-15, 17-21, 15-12
3. Haley Hop/Hallie Phelan (USM) def. Audrey Brooks/Holland Ponthieux (ULM) 21-18, 21-16
4. Breleigh Favre/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Bailey Smith/Abbie Elder (ULM) 13-21, 21-16, 15-3
5. Kinsley Hanback/Kellie Garraway (USM) def. Allie Kemp/Elizabeth Moreland (ULM) 21-18, 12-21, 15-9
Ext. Ina Gosen/Katie McKay (ULM) def. Kaile Tuisamatatele/Lindsey Smith (USM) 21-18, 21-15
