ATLANTA, Ga. --- Devon Rachel (Louisville, Ky.) and
McKala Rhodes (Charleston, S.C.) won twice at two's to improve to 14-0 on the season, as the College of Charleston beach volleyball team split two matches with UAB and Arizona State on Friday at the Georgia State Diggin' Duals.
College of Charleston (13-1), which is receiving votes in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association Collegiate Beach Volleyball Poll, won the second, fourth, and fifth flights to edge (RV) UAB in the first match of the day. The Cougars then suffered their first loss of the season with a 4-1 setback to (RV) Arizona State in the first match of the afternoon session.
College of Charleston 3, UAB 2
Charleston ran its season-opening win streak to 13 matches with a gritty 3-2 win over UAB.
Allison Beckman (Apex, N.C.) and
Logan Manusky (San Diego, Calif.) started the day with a 21-7, 21-12 victory at four's, before
Katja Ehlers (Raleigh, N.C.) and
Taylor Foley (Agoura Hills, Calif.) posted a 21-19, 23-21 win at five's to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.
UAB answered with wins at three's and one's to even the dual at 2-2, as
Kennedy Madison (Evansville, Ind.) and
Lauren Freed (Troy, Ohio) dropped their first flight of the season with a 19-21, 21-17, 13-15 setback at one's. Rhodes and Rachel delivered the decisive point at two's, winning 21-18, 16-21, 19-17 to lift the Cougars to a 3-2 victory over the Blazers.
Arizona State 4, College of Charleston 1
The Cougars suffered their first setback of the season in the afternoon session with a 4-1 loss to (RV) Arizona State. Ehlers and Foley dropped a 14-21, 19-21 decision at five's, while Beckman and Manusky fell at four's by scores of 21-13 and 21-19. Arizona State picked up the decisive third point with a 21-10, 21-19 win at three's, before claiming a fourth as Madison and Freed fell in three sets at one's, 20-22, 21-19, 12-15. Rhodes and Rachel stayed undefeated on the season with a 24-26, 21-18, 16-14 victory at two's.
Charleston will close out the weekend with two matches on Saturday at the Georgia State Diggin' Duals in Atlanta, Ga. The Cougars will face University of Tampa 8:00 a.m. before squaring off with host and No. 19 Georgia State at 12:00 p.m.
College of Charleston 3, UAB 2
1. Tressa Buckland/Jaelyn Keene (UAB) def.
Kennedy Madison/
Lauren Freed (COFC) 21-19, 17-21, 15-13
2.
McKala Rhodes/
Devon Rachel (COFC) def. Kenley Adams/Sallianne Napolitano (UAB) 21-18, 16-21, 19-17
3. Jayme Bratsburg/Annie Pringle (UAB) def.
Mandy Napierala/
Amani Dunston (COFC) 21-14, 21-15
4.
Allison Beckman/
Logan Manusky (COFC) def. Brittney Munro/Emily Martinez (UAB) 21-7, 21-12
5.
Katja Ehlers/
Taylor Foley (COFC) def. Jenna Gathright/Emma Andraka (UAB) 21-19, 23-21
Arizona State 4, College of Charleston 1
1. Ashley Wenz/Olly Okaro (ASU) def.
Kennedy Madison/
Lauren Freed (COFC) 22-20, 19-21, 15-12
2.
McKala Rhodes/
Devon Rachel (COFC) def. Ellyson Lundberg/Katelyn Carballo (ASU) 24-26, 21-18, 16-14
3. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) def.
Mandy Napierala/
Amani Dunston (COFC) 21-10, 21-19
4. Sam Plaster/Kate Baldwin (ASU) def.
Allison Beckman/
Logan Manusky (COFC) 21-13, 21-19
5. Emily Anderson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def.
Katja Ehlers/
Taylor Foley (COFC) 21-14, 21-19