ATLANTA -- The ULM sand volleyball program opened play at the Sand in the City Tournament at Georgia State with a pair of losses Saturday. The first came against the College of Charleston in a 3-2 decision followed by a 5-0 setback against No. 1 Pepperdine.
Marcela Araya and Zuzana Markova saw their nine-match winning streak come to a close against the Waves, but they made a valiant effort in the third set.
Rachel Arnason and Alannah Cullum also went 1-1 on the day, picking up a win over the Cougars.
MATCH ONE - College of Charleston 3, ULM 2
The College of Charleston Cougars edged ULM 3-2 to open play at the Sand In the City Tournament.
The Warhawks earned points at the No. 1 and No. 4 flights. Zuzana Markova and Marcela Araya swept their Cougar counterparts to improve to 9-1 on the season. Meanwhile, Alannah Cullum and Rachel Arnason picked up a 2-0 victory in the fourth spot.
Unfortunately, the College of Charleston would take the match in a 15-12 third set at the No. 3 seed.
“The dual once again came down to two points, and we just weren't strong enough to finish. Alannah and Rachel played great at the fourth spot and avenged their loss last week,” head sand volleyball Fischer said.
C of C 3, ULM 2
No. 1 Zuzana Markova/Marcela Araya (ULM) d. Darcy Dorton/Emily Neideffer (CC) 21-12, 21-10
No. 2 Melissa Morello/Cara Howley (CC) d. Michelle McNamee/Hadley Swartz (ULM) 21-12, 22-20
No. 3 Sloane White/Andi Zbojniewicz (CC) d. Blanca Ocana/Hope Pawlik (ULM) 19-21, 21-14. 15-12
No. 4 Alannah Cullum/Rachel Arnason (ULM) d. Kari Fidelholtz/Carey Warren (CC) 21-19, 21-15
No. 5 Kallie McKown/Grace Rebarchak (CC) d. Celine Flores/Kayla Kane (ULM) 21-11, 21-9
No. 6 (EX) Kaitlyn Shearer/Kaitlynn Hufstetler (ULM/GSU) d. Ashley Watson/Maddie Hills (CC), 21-15, 21-19
MATCH TWO - No. 1 Pepperdine 5, ULM 0
The Warhawks suffered a 5- 0 loss to top-ranked Pepperdine in the final dual of the weekend.
In the match, Markova and Araya saw their nine-match winning streak come to an end despite rallying to force a third set.
“Pepperdine was as good as expected,” Fischer said. “We really only pushed them at the No. 1 spot where 'Mar-Z' took the first set and looked to be in control. Becca Strelow and Lara Dykstra kept their composure and made some great digs in the tiebreak to win a great match. “
The Warhawks will return to action tomorrow in gold and silver bracket play. Markova and Araya are expected to be the No. 2 seed overall in the single-elimination gold bracket, according to Fischer.
No. 1 Pepperdine 5, ULM 0
1. Lara Dykstra/Becca Strehlow (PEP) d. Markova/Araya (ULM) 21-18, 17-21, 15-12
2. Kelley Larsen/Kellie Woolever (PEP) d. Mcanaee/Swartz (ULM) 21-15, 21-10
3. Delaney Knudsen/Caitlin Racich (PEP) d. Ocana/Pawlik (ULM) 21-14, 21-10
4. Katie Messina/Emily Cook (PEP) d. Cullum/Arnason (ULM) 21-9, 21-13
5. Samantha Cash/Taylor Racich (PEP) d. Flores/Shearer (ULM) 21-14, 21-10
