JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Junior Sky Benjamin and freshman Rebeca Olariu partnered for two victories in the top flight to lead the College of Charleston beach volleyball team to a pair of 4-1 wins over Erskine and UNCW on Friday to kick off the 2021 season at the UNF Beach Invitational.
 
QUICK SETS
Match One Final Score: College of Charleston 4, Erskine 1
Match Two Final Score: College of Charleston 4, UNCW 1
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. (The Cooper Beach Volleyball Complex)
Records: Charleston (2-0), Erskine (0-3), UNCW (0-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cougars kicked off the day with a 4-1 win over Erskine including victories at one's, two's, three's and five's; an injury forced CofC to forfeit the fourth flight despite holding a 21-14, 19-12 advantage. Charleston capped the day with a 4-1 victory over UNCW that included wins at one's, three's, four's and five's.
 
PAIR OF THE DAY
Benjamin and Olariu went 2-0 in the top flight for the Cougars, including a 21-18, 21-9 win against UNCW in the second match. The duo opened the day with a gritty 21-18, 21-19 victory to deliver the decisive point against Erskine.
 
NOTABLES

• The Cougars saw six players make their collegiate beach volleyball debuts on Friday including four freshmen.
• The five debutants delivered a combined record of 8-1 on the day.
• Junior transfer Ella Reames and freshman Maria Zweig partnered for a pair of wins in their CofC debuts.

College of Charleston 4, Erskine 1
1. Sky Benjamin/Rebecca Olariu (COFC) def. Olivia Browne/Allison Dutterer (ERSKINE) 21-18, 21-19
2. Ella Ridinger/Kyra Thompson (COFC) def. Alyssa Pagan/Hannah Krzysiak (ERSKINE) 21-10, 21-9
3. Logan Manusky/Hazel Brown (COFC) def. Emily Gilbert/Kylie McKean (ERSKINE) 21-12, 21-14
4. Karina Petrovich/Emily Alanis (ERSKINE) def. Marie Martinsen/Jasmin Goei (COFC) 14-21, 12-19, retired
5. Ella Reames/Maria Zweig (COFC) def. Rae Stackley/Maisy Garner (ERSKINE) 21-8, 21-12
Ext. Lily Johnson/Mikaela Dougherty (COFC) def. Allison Carter/Raisa Real (ERSKINE) 26-24, 21-16
 
College of Charleston 4, UNCW 1
1. Sky Benjamin/Rebecca Olariu (COFC) def. Rachel Shaffer/Ashley Thompson (UNCW) 21-18, 21-9
2. Reagan Evans/Casey Goodwin (UNCW) def. Ella Ridinger/Kyra Thompson (COFC) 21-14, 21-19
3. Marie Martinsen/Logan Manusky (COFC) def. Ellie Bucci/Tyla Cutrie (UNCW) 21-14, 21-16
4. Ella Reames/Maria Zweig (COFC) def. Kristy Witte/Chrissy Ausgustine (UNCW) 21-16, 24-22
5. Mikaela Dougherty/Lily Johnson (COFC) def. No player/No player (UNCW), by default