University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, April 9
Beach Volleyball Complex
4:30 PM
Southern Miss
4
vs
1
Spring Hill
Golden Eagles' Senior Recognition Highlights Final Day of Southern Miss Beach Invitational II
4/10/2022 12:49:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss wrapped up its home slate of 2022 by splitting two matches of the Southern Miss Beach Invitational II.
Southern Miss 4, Spring Hill 1
The Golden Eagles began the day with a dominant victory over familiar foe Spring Hill. Entering today's match, Southern Miss trailed the all-time series against the Sandy Badgers, 3-7. Records would be tossed to the side as Southern Miss took an early lead, which quickly became insurmountable.
Fifth pair Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou and Kai Norman took the first match and point of the afternoon after two sets, winning 21-12 and 21-15.
Immediately after, the exhibition would finish where Wiio Meinheit and Dylan Russell fell in two close sets, 18-21 and 16-21.
The first wave of matches would finish tied 1-1 after the fourth position's decision. Hallie Phelan and Reagan Sandlin would lose two extra point sets, 21-23 and 20-22, to give Spring Hill their first and only point of the day.
In the second wave, Southern Miss was pushed to three sets on all courts but managed to hold on for a second wave sweep and tenth victory of the year.
Taylor Pierce and Olivia Hepworth would finish first. The pair would rally back after losing their first set 19-21 to take two straight for the point. The second set was a 21-10 runaway win while the third was tight until the final few kills. Pierce/Hepworth would take the rubber set 15-11.
The victory marked Hepworth's 42nd career victory. She is now the all-time leader in individual set victories, sitting three point above her nearest competitor.
Kellie Garraway and Vanessa Hurnikova would continue the three-set trend by forcing a third set to decide the position. The pair would win 21-15 in set one before dropping set two 20-22. In the third set, the duo outlasted the Sandy Badger 2s for a 15-12 win.
Not to be outdone, Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik would combine with Spring Hill's top flight to produce 112 total points in their three set victory. In the first set, the duo could not stop a Spring Hill comeback and dropped the opener 19-21.
The pair then pulled off a two set rally by winning 23-21 and 15-13 to secure the Black & Gold's fourth point of the day.
Southern Miss is now 2-4 against Spring Hill in Hattiesburg and 4-7 all-time.
Tulane 3, Southern Miss 2
Southern Miss would have time to catch their breath after the thrilling match against Spring Hill before taking on Tulane.
Entering the weekend, Tulane received votes in the AVCA Poll on Wednesday, April 6, which placed them at 21st place, the first one out of the top 20 poll.
Additionally, Southern Miss had never beaten Tulane in seven previous tries, including a 3-2 loss earlier this season at LSU's Tiger Beach Invitational.
The first wave served as the sun set over the Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex, setting up near-perfect conditions for the main match of the weekend.
Southern Miss would keep their same lineup on courts one thru five, changing only the exhibition. New exhibition pairing would be Kaylie Beck and Melanie Miller.
Tulane would take the first point at the fifth position, winning in two sets 21-16 and 23-21.
Golden Eagle fourth pair Sandlin/Phelan would take the first point for Southern Miss in three sets. The pair had the most points in a single set for the season, needing a 28-26 decision to defeat the Spring Hill 4s.
Perhaps exhausted from their thrilling first set, the pair would drop the second 15-21 to set up the pivotal point-deciding match.
Needing 15 points to win the point, Sandlin/Phelan did just that, winning 15-9 to give Southern Miss a 2-1 lead.
Wrapping up first wave play, Beck/Miller would take the exhibition in three sets. The pair took the first 21-19 before losing 13-21 as the Badgers forced a third set. Even though the duo was pushed to extra points, Beck & Miller stood strong and took the final set 17-15.
Entering the second wave, Tulane and Southern Miss were tied at one all with three matches left to play.
Garraway/Hurnikova fell to give Tulane their second point of the match. The pair posted 15-21 and 18-21 scores in two sets before retiring for the day.
The Green Wave secured the decisive third point at flight No. 3 as Pierce/Hepworth fell in two sets. The pair lost narrowly in set one, 18-21 before losing 12-21 in the second.
Playing for pride, Favre/Chudzik defended their home court against the Badgers. In the inaugural set, the pair mustered up a 21-18 victory. In set two, Favre/Chudzik exhausted themselves and prevailed 24-22 over the Spring Hill top pair.
Southern Miss fell to 10-19 on the year and 0-8 all-time against the team Uptown.
Senior Recognition
Immediately following the conclusion of the first flight, Southern Miss Beach Volleyball celebrated its three graduating seniors Breleigh Favre, Olivia Hepworth and Melanie Miller.
After recognition and a dinner in the Southern Miss Wellness Center, the Golden Eagles were through with their home court matches in 2022.
Up Next
Southern Miss enjoys a few days off before traveling west to Tucson, Ariz. for the Arizona Invitational. While in the Grand Canyon State, the Black & Gold are slated to face two currently ranked teams, No. 17 Arizona and No. 16 Long Beach State, on Friday, April 15.
The Golden Eagles finish play against Stephen F. Austin before taking on Cal State Bakersfield. Both matches are set for Saturday, April 16.
For updates, scores and more, follow Southern Miss Beach Volleyball on Twitter @SouthernMissBVB, on Instagram @southernmissbvb or at SouthernMiss.com.
Southern Miss 4, Spring Hill 1
1. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Kassandra Fairly/Jessica Fairly (SPRSVB) 19-21, 23-21, 15-13
2. Kellie Garraway/Vanessa Hurnikova (USM) def. Mikayla Boyer/Natalie Bonner (SPRSVB) 20-15, 20-22, 15-12
3. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Leanne Sorrel/Kyla Shappell (SPRSVB) 19-21, 21-10, 15-11
4. Brooke Borgmeyer/Linnea Beger (SPRSVB) def. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) 23-21, 22-20
5. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. BrileyJane Becker/Emily Weinzapfel (SPRSVB) 21-12, 21-15
Ext. Courtney Faulkner/Grace Harris (SPRSVB) def. Wiio Meinheit/Dylan Russell (USM) 21-18, 21-16
Tulane 3, Southern Miss 2
1. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Maddie Speicher/Kendall Peters (TULANE) 21-18, 24-22
2. Sara Hall/Samantha Mehlman (TULANE) def. Kellie Garraway/Vanessa Hurnikova (USM) 21-15, 21-18
3. Lara Torruella/Ashton Mares (TULANE) def. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) 21-18, 21-12
4. Reagan Sandlin/Hallie Phelan (USM) def. Josie Cole/Samantha Green (TULANE) 28-26, 15-21, 15-9
5. Haley Gibson/Savka Popovic (TULANE) def. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) 21-16, 23-21
Ext. Kaylie Beck/Melanie Miller (USM) def. Emily Heintzelman/Sophia Gammarino (TULANE) 21-19, 13-21, 17-15
Southern Miss 4, Spring Hill 1
The Golden Eagles began the day with a dominant victory over familiar foe Spring Hill. Entering today's match, Southern Miss trailed the all-time series against the Sandy Badgers, 3-7. Records would be tossed to the side as Southern Miss took an early lead, which quickly became insurmountable.
Fifth pair Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou and Kai Norman took the first match and point of the afternoon after two sets, winning 21-12 and 21-15.
Immediately after, the exhibition would finish where Wiio Meinheit and Dylan Russell fell in two close sets, 18-21 and 16-21.
The first wave of matches would finish tied 1-1 after the fourth position's decision. Hallie Phelan and Reagan Sandlin would lose two extra point sets, 21-23 and 20-22, to give Spring Hill their first and only point of the day.
In the second wave, Southern Miss was pushed to three sets on all courts but managed to hold on for a second wave sweep and tenth victory of the year.
Taylor Pierce and Olivia Hepworth would finish first. The pair would rally back after losing their first set 19-21 to take two straight for the point. The second set was a 21-10 runaway win while the third was tight until the final few kills. Pierce/Hepworth would take the rubber set 15-11.
The victory marked Hepworth's 42nd career victory. She is now the all-time leader in individual set victories, sitting three point above her nearest competitor.
Kellie Garraway and Vanessa Hurnikova would continue the three-set trend by forcing a third set to decide the position. The pair would win 21-15 in set one before dropping set two 20-22. In the third set, the duo outlasted the Sandy Badger 2s for a 15-12 win.
Not to be outdone, Breleigh Favre and Aleksandra Chudzik would combine with Spring Hill's top flight to produce 112 total points in their three set victory. In the first set, the duo could not stop a Spring Hill comeback and dropped the opener 19-21.
The pair then pulled off a two set rally by winning 23-21 and 15-13 to secure the Black & Gold's fourth point of the day.
Southern Miss is now 2-4 against Spring Hill in Hattiesburg and 4-7 all-time.
Tulane 3, Southern Miss 2
Southern Miss would have time to catch their breath after the thrilling match against Spring Hill before taking on Tulane.
Entering the weekend, Tulane received votes in the AVCA Poll on Wednesday, April 6, which placed them at 21st place, the first one out of the top 20 poll.
Additionally, Southern Miss had never beaten Tulane in seven previous tries, including a 3-2 loss earlier this season at LSU's Tiger Beach Invitational.
The first wave served as the sun set over the Southern Miss Beach Volleyball Complex, setting up near-perfect conditions for the main match of the weekend.
Southern Miss would keep their same lineup on courts one thru five, changing only the exhibition. New exhibition pairing would be Kaylie Beck and Melanie Miller.
Tulane would take the first point at the fifth position, winning in two sets 21-16 and 23-21.
Golden Eagle fourth pair Sandlin/Phelan would take the first point for Southern Miss in three sets. The pair had the most points in a single set for the season, needing a 28-26 decision to defeat the Spring Hill 4s.
Perhaps exhausted from their thrilling first set, the pair would drop the second 15-21 to set up the pivotal point-deciding match.
Needing 15 points to win the point, Sandlin/Phelan did just that, winning 15-9 to give Southern Miss a 2-1 lead.
Wrapping up first wave play, Beck/Miller would take the exhibition in three sets. The pair took the first 21-19 before losing 13-21 as the Badgers forced a third set. Even though the duo was pushed to extra points, Beck & Miller stood strong and took the final set 17-15.
Entering the second wave, Tulane and Southern Miss were tied at one all with three matches left to play.
Garraway/Hurnikova fell to give Tulane their second point of the match. The pair posted 15-21 and 18-21 scores in two sets before retiring for the day.
The Green Wave secured the decisive third point at flight No. 3 as Pierce/Hepworth fell in two sets. The pair lost narrowly in set one, 18-21 before losing 12-21 in the second.
Playing for pride, Favre/Chudzik defended their home court against the Badgers. In the inaugural set, the pair mustered up a 21-18 victory. In set two, Favre/Chudzik exhausted themselves and prevailed 24-22 over the Spring Hill top pair.
Southern Miss fell to 10-19 on the year and 0-8 all-time against the team Uptown.
Senior Recognition
Immediately following the conclusion of the first flight, Southern Miss Beach Volleyball celebrated its three graduating seniors Breleigh Favre, Olivia Hepworth and Melanie Miller.
After recognition and a dinner in the Southern Miss Wellness Center, the Golden Eagles were through with their home court matches in 2022.
Up Next
Southern Miss enjoys a few days off before traveling west to Tucson, Ariz. for the Arizona Invitational. While in the Grand Canyon State, the Black & Gold are slated to face two currently ranked teams, No. 17 Arizona and No. 16 Long Beach State, on Friday, April 15.
The Golden Eagles finish play against Stephen F. Austin before taking on Cal State Bakersfield. Both matches are set for Saturday, April 16.
For updates, scores and more, follow Southern Miss Beach Volleyball on Twitter @SouthernMissBVB, on Instagram @southernmissbvb or at SouthernMiss.com.
Southern Miss 4, Spring Hill 1
1. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Kassandra Fairly/Jessica Fairly (SPRSVB) 19-21, 23-21, 15-13
2. Kellie Garraway/Vanessa Hurnikova (USM) def. Mikayla Boyer/Natalie Bonner (SPRSVB) 20-15, 20-22, 15-12
3. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) def. Leanne Sorrel/Kyla Shappell (SPRSVB) 19-21, 21-10, 15-11
4. Brooke Borgmeyer/Linnea Beger (SPRSVB) def. Hallie Phelan/Reagan Sandlin (USM) 23-21, 22-20
5. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) def. BrileyJane Becker/Emily Weinzapfel (SPRSVB) 21-12, 21-15
Ext. Courtney Faulkner/Grace Harris (SPRSVB) def. Wiio Meinheit/Dylan Russell (USM) 21-18, 21-16
Tulane 3, Southern Miss 2
1. Breleigh Favre/Aleksandra Chudzik (USM) def. Maddie Speicher/Kendall Peters (TULANE) 21-18, 24-22
2. Sara Hall/Samantha Mehlman (TULANE) def. Kellie Garraway/Vanessa Hurnikova (USM) 21-15, 21-18
3. Lara Torruella/Ashton Mares (TULANE) def. Taylor Pierce/Olivia Hepworth (USM) 21-18, 21-12
4. Reagan Sandlin/Hallie Phelan (USM) def. Josie Cole/Samantha Green (TULANE) 28-26, 15-21, 15-9
5. Haley Gibson/Savka Popovic (TULANE) def. Valeria Siakidou Papakyriakou/Kai Norman (USM) 21-16, 23-21
Ext. Kaylie Beck/Melanie Miller (USM) def. Emily Heintzelman/Sophia Gammarino (TULANE) 21-19, 13-21, 17-15
Players Mentioned
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