ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --- The duo of Gabi Bailey and Kyra Thompson posted a pair of straight-set victories to pace the College of Charleston beach volleyball team (RV, AVCA) to a split with University of Tampa (RV, AVCA) and Saint Leo on the first day of Eckerd College's Battle on the Bay on Friday.
 
QUICK SETS
Final Score (Match One): Tampa 4, College of Charleston 1
Final Score (Match Two): College of Charleston 5, Saint Leo 0
Location: St. Petersburg, Fla. (North Shore Courts)
Records: Charleston (2-4), Tampa (4-2), Saint Leo (5-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cougars and Spartans split at four's and five's to go into the second wave of the day's first match even at 1-1. After dropping the first set in each of the top three flights, Charleston answered with victories in set two to force a third frame in all three matches before eventually falling in each. The Cougars bounced back with a sweep of Saint Leo in the second match of the day winning in straight sets in all but the second flight.
 
PAIR OF THE DAY
Thompson and Bailey did not drop a set in the fourth flight all day, pulling out a hard-fought 21-19, 21-14 win for the Cougars' lone point against the Spartans before cruising to a 21-15, 21-13 victory in Charleston's sweep of Saint Leo.
 
NOTABLES

• Emma Falk and Maria Zweig were paired together for the first time this season in the afternoon match against Saint Leo and delivered a dominating 21-12, 21-6 victory.
• Sky Benjamin and Sofie Vogel posted their first win of the campaign in the top flight with a 21-19, 21-17 decision against the Lions.
• Amani Dunston and Ella Reames completed the sweep of Saint Leo with a hard-fought 21-10, 19-21, 15-7 win in the second flight. 

(RV) Tampa 4, (RV) College of Charleston 1
1. Julia Oswald/Rachel Rosequist (UT) def. Sky Benjamin/Sofie Vogel (COFC) 21-15, 18-21, 15-12
2. Kiersten Anderson/Payton Brunick (UT) def. Emma Falk/Amani Dunston (COFC) 21-17, 12-21, 15-8
3. Madison Brunick/Melissa Elias (UT) def. Ella Reames/Maria Zweig (COFC) 22-24, 21-14, 15-8
4. Gabi Bailey/Kyra Thompson (COFC) def. Tatiana Gutierrez/Katie McKiel (UT) 21-19, 21-14
5. Claire Overton/Valerie Rosequist (UT) def. Jasmin Goei/Rebecca Olariu (COFC) 21-14, 21-12
Ext. Cassidy Ehrie/Selina Pfuner (UT) def. Mikaela Dougherty/Brooke Harris (COFC) 21-17, 21-15
 
(RV) College of Charleston 5, Saint Leo 0
1. Sky Benjamin/Sofie Vogel (COFC) def. Jeanette Henderson/Nina Vattovaz (SLU) 21-19, 21-17
2. Amani Dunston/Ella Reames (COFC) def. Aliya Fredette-Huffm/Leeann Potter (SLU) 21-10, 19-21, 15-7
3. Emma Falk/Maria Zweig (COFC) def. Clare Flanagan/Brenna Reinhard (SLU) 21-12, 21-6
4. Kyra Thompson/Gabi Bailey (COFC) def. Ally-Reese Williams/Emma Miller (SLU) 21-15, 21-14
5. Rebecca Olariu/Tynley Smeltzer (COFC) def. Amanda Doherty/Elizabeth Sandoval (SLU) 21-14, 21-12
6. Brooke Harris/Molly Russell (COFC) vs. Angela Goggin/Morgan Maddox (SLU) no result
 
NEXT UP
The Cougars will wrap up the weekend on Saturday taking on Missouri State at 10:00 a.m. and Eckerd at 1:00 p.m. to conclude the Battle on the Bay.