Chattanooga beach volleyball opened its 2024 regular season on Saturday by splitting the team’s opening two matches of the year at the Jacksonville Invitational, earning a 3-2 win over Palm Beach Atlantic followed by a 4-1 loss to Coastal Carolina.
“A lot of things to learn and get better at today,” Coach Darin Van Horn said. “I’m proud of our adjustments and competitiveness. We just need to keep our growth mindset and passion going into tomorrow.”
Full, detailed results from Saturday’s matches against PBA and CCU are currently unavailable. Finalized box scores for each match will be added to the Chattanooga beach volleyball schedule page on GoMocs.com when they become available.
Mocs now hold a record of 1-1 on the young 2024 season. The team will close out its time at the Jacksonville Invitational tomorrow with matches against Florida International and tournament host Jacksonville. Those matches are slated for 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. ET starts.
Chattanooga vs. Palm Beach Atlantic – W, 3-2
The Mocs were able to start the season off on the right foot bright and early on Saturday morning, defeating Palm Beach Atlantic 3-2 thanks to UTC’s bottom three pairings each earning crucial wins for the team. The No. 4 duo of Paige Gallentine and Kaye Gresham struck first for the Mocs followed by Joy Courtright and Gylian Finch capturing a win on Court 3. It was then the No. 5 pairing of Morgan Romano and Grace Frigaard that clinched it for the Mocs, earning UTC its first win of the 2024 campaign.
1. Anna Dunbar/Gabriella Aziz (PBA) def. Neva Clark/Corina Vale (UTC)
2. Eva Herz/Lola Ackman (PBA) def. McKenna Faychak/Maddie Lecik (UTC)
3. Joy Courtright/Gylian Finch (UTC) def. Karla Cantero/Abigail Mason (PBA)
4. Kaye Gresham/Paige Gallentine (UTC) def. Julia Golichowski/Julia Norville (PBA)
5. Morgan Romano/Grace Frigaard (UTC) def. Katelyn Nadeau/Abby Plevin (PBA)
Chattanooga vs. Coastal Carolina – L, 4-1
Moving to the team’s second match of the day against the Chanticleers, Coastal was able to come away with a 4-1 win over Chattanooga with the Mocs experiencing some tough sledding in their second match of the day. UTC’s No. 2 pairing of McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik were the only duo able to notch a point for the Mocs in the loss.
1. Martine Kragholm/Sarah Riedell (CCU) def. Neva Clark/Corina Vale(UTC)
2. McKenna Faychak/Maddie Lecik (UTC) def. Julia Blazek/Emma Plutnicki (CCU)
3. Ellie Hanford/Emma Kunaus (CCU) def. Joy Courtright/Gylian Finch (UTC)
4. Madison Allred/Raychel Ehlers (CCU) def. Kaye Gresham/Paige Gallentine (UTC)
5. Madie Lichty/Denisse Morgenstern (CCU) def. Morgan Romano/Grace Frigaard (UTC)