COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The ULM sand volleyball program split Sunday's matches to conclude the South Carolina Sand Tournament in Columbia, S.C.
The day opened with a 3-2 setback against Oregon before the Warhawks (2-7) rallied to defeat the Gamecocks by a 3-2 tally.
Marcela Araya and Zuzana Markova once again went 2-0 on the day as did Michelle McNamee and Hadley Swartz at the No. 2 spot.
“'Mar-Z' continue their strong play for us, going 4-0 on the weekend against each school's top pair,” head coach David Fischer said.
Alannah Cullum and Rachel Arnason teamed up at the third flight, where they posted a 1-1 mark.
MATCH ONE - Oregon 3, ULM 2
For the third straight match, ULM's fate hung on just one set and that set would not go the Warhawks' way as Oregon took a 3-2 decision from ULM to open play Sunday.
The Ducks (1-3) clinched the match at the third flight despite the fact Blanca Ocana and Hope Pawlik took the second set, 23-21. UO's Kacey Nady and Amanda Benson would take the third set 17-15.
Zuzana Markova and Marcela Araya were in rare form as they cruised to a 21-11, 21-4 win at the number one spot.
Michelle McNamee and Hadley Swartz also picked up a win in the second flight, downing the Ducks' offering of Liz Brenner and Taylor Norton, 21-11, 21-15.
“Against Oregon, we were dominant at the top two spots, but their athletic talent throughout their roster won the day at the threes, fours and fives. Congratulations to them on their inaugural win,” head coach David Fischer said.
Oregon also picked up wins in the fourth and fifth positions.
Oregon 3, ULM 2
1. Zuzana Markova/Marcela Araya (ULM) d. Canace Finley/Natalie Bookout-Gonzalez (ORE), 21-11, 21-4
2. Michelle McNamee/Hadley Swartz (ULM) d. Liz Brenner/Taylor Norton (ORE), 21-11, 21-15
3. Kacey Nady/Amanda Benson (ORE) d. Blanca Ocana/Hope Pawlik (ULM), 21-18, 21-23, 17-15
4. Martenne Bettendorf/Shellsy Ashen (ORE) d. Alannah Cullum/Rachel Arnason (ULM), 21-14, 22-20
5. Naya Crittenden/Serena Warner (ORE) d. Kayla Kane/Kaitlyn Shearer (ULM), 21-13, 21-15
MATCH TWO -- ULM 3, South Carolina 2
The Warhawks ended the day with a 3-2 win over the hosting South Carolina Gamecocks (4-6).
Markova and Araya once again posted a clean 2-0 win at the top flight.
McNamee and Swartz rallied in the final two sets 21-14, 15-12 after falling 21-15 in the opener to secure the win for ULM.
“Hadley must have had 20 aces on the weekend with her jump serve. She and Michelle clinched the dual in front of a great South Carolina crowd,” Fischer added.
Rachel Arnason and Alannah Cullum posted a 21-19, 22-20 win at the fourth position.
“Alannah and Rachel had a break-out performance against South Carolina and led the whole way,” Fischer said.
The Warhawks return to action Mar. 29 in Atlanta for the Georgia State Sand Tournament. Monitor ULMWarhawks.com or follow @ULM_SandVB on Twitter for opponent information and match times.
ULM 3, South Carolina 2
1. Markova/Araya (ULM) d. Mikaela Christiaansen/Sarah Blomgren (SC), 21-17, 21-17
2. McNamee/Swartz (ULM) d. Paige Wheeler/Megan Kent (SC), 15-21, 21-14, 15-12
3. Jordan Loney/Jade Vitt (SC) d. Ocana/Pawlik (ULM), 21-13, 21-15
4. Cullum/Arnason (ULM) d. Chynna Ratner/Litsa Darby (SC), 21-19, 22-20
5. Erin Neuenfeldt/KoKo Atoa-Williams (SC) d. Flores/Kane (ULM), 21-14, 21-19
