MIAMI, Fla. - The Sailfish looked to get back on track after hitting a setback in the FAU Beach Burrow Bash Invitational last weekend as they took on Palm Beach State and Florida International University in a tri-match bout.
The 'Fish completed a dominant sweep over Palm Beach State College, earning a 4-1 victory Friday at the FIU Beach Volleyball Courts in Miami.
The Sailfish set the tone early in flight No. 1, where Maddie Kremer and Katelyn Nadeau secured a three-set win (21-18, 17-21, 15-10). Sydney Corbett and Cameron Ring followed with another hard-fought three-set victory at No. 2, bouncing back after dropping the second set to win 21-11, 21-23, 15-7.
PBA continued to roll in straight sets on the remaining completed courts. Maggie Cox and Zoye Caroline claimed a 21-11, 21-17 win at No. 3, while Savanna Rogers and Annika Huhtamaki closed out the clinch at No. 4 with a 21-12, 21-19 decision.
The No. 5 match was left unfinished, but the Sailfish had already secured the overall result, completing the sweep and maintaining control throughout the afternoon.
While against FIU the Sailfish put up a spirited fight but ultimately fell with a close 2-3 finish on Saturday at the FIU Beach Volleyball Courts. PBA snagged wins in the fourth and fifth pairs.
In the No. 2 slot, Katie Galligan and Angela Goggin battled Hanna Gubik and Nicole Robison. FIU claimed the point, overcoming the Sailfish duo in straight sets, 21-15, 21-19. This match wrapped up first, setting the tone for the rest of the dual.
Maggie Cox and Zoye Caroline came through with a clutch victory in the No. 4 flight, defeating Elizabeth Nye and Hailey Prodan in a three-set thriller. After dropping the opening set 22-24, the 'Fish tandem stormed back to win the next two, 21-17, 15-13, chalking up a point for PBA.
In the No. 5 spot, Grace Reynolds and Annika Huhtamaki added another tally for the 'Fish. They took down Madison Hobbs and Marta Vildere in straight sets, 21-13, 21-19. This win was pivotal, keeping PBA in the mix during the dual.
In the top flight, Maddie Kremer and Katelyn Nadeau faced off against Katarina Drozd and Brianna Luoma. The FIU pair clinched the match in straight sets, 21-11, 21-14, after the decision had already been sealed. With this, FIU secured the dual victory.
The 'Fish fall to 4-5 on the season but look to get back on track as they travel to Tampa next weekend for the UT Spartans Invitational where they will faceoff against Eckerd, USF, and Tampa.
