BOCA RATON, Fla. – A challenging Saturday on the Florida coast saw the Coastal Carolina beach volleyball team fall in a pair of tightly contested matches, dropping both contests 3-2 to Boise State and Florida International at the Beach Burrow Bash. The losses bring Coastal’s early season record to an even keel, as they prepare for a multi-team event in South Carolina later this month.
The Chants demonstrated resilience throughout the day, pushing both opponents to the limit in matches that frequently came down to the final points. Whereas the outcomes weren’t what Coastal Carolina desired, the competitive spirit and close results offer valuable experience as the season progresses. The team will look to build on these lessons as they head north.
Boise State Edges Coastal in First Match
The opening match against Boise State proved to be a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading wins throughout the lineup. Boise State ultimately secured the 3-2 victory, capitalizing on key moments in the deciding sets. The match began with a loss for Coastal at the No. 1 pairing, as Addison Wolden and Ava Anderson of Boise State defeated Frida Meincke Lyø and Emma Kunaus 17-21, 21-16, 15-12.
Boise State continued their momentum, taking another point at No. 2, with Serena van der Made and Allyson Alden besting Kristýna Koblížková and Maya McNabney 20-22, 21-16, 18-16. However, Coastal responded with a crucial win at No. 3, as Avery Allen and Addison Moss secured a straight-set victory over Ava Novello and Ella Wadsworth, 21-19, 21-10.
The momentum shifted again as Courtney Burnham and Madeline Sigmon of Coastal Carolina delivered a win at No. 4, defeating Lily Patock and Keira Demirjian 21-19, 11-21, 15-11. The match ultimately came down to the No. 5 pairing, where Jillian Stein and Anna Rita clinched a victory for Coastal over Elli Wolthuis and Charlee Ellena, 21-13, 22-20. The order of finish was 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
FIU Completes Saturday Sweep
The afternoon brought another 3-2 result, this time against Florida International. Similar to the first match, Coastal fought hard but ultimately fell short. FIU secured the win after a series of closely contested sets. The Panthers started strong, winning at No. 1 with Katarina Drozc and Brianna Luoma defeating Frida Meincke Lyø and Emma Kunaus 21-13, 19-21, 15-9.
Coastal responded with a win at No. 2, as Maya McNabney and Kristýna Koblížková edged Hanna Gubik and Nicole Robison 22-20, 19-21, 15-7. However, FIU regained the lead with a decisive victory at No. 3, where Isabella Pereira and Kendra Brown defeated Madeline Sigmon and Courtney Burnham 21-15, 21-8.
Elizabeth Nye and Hailey Prodan of FIU extended their team’s lead with a 21-19, 26-24 win over Ava Novello and Ella Wadsworth at No. 4. Coastal managed to avoid a shutout thanks to a strong performance from Anna Rita and Jillian Stein, who defeated Madalyn Wade and Lauren Coady 21-17, 21-17. The order of finish in this match was 5, 4, 3, 1, 2.
Looking Ahead to South Carolina
Coastal Carolina will regroup and travel to Columbia, South Carolina, for the Wheeler Beach Bash on February 27-28. They are scheduled to face Chattanooga, Austin Peay, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and South Carolina during the two-day event. This tournament will provide another opportunity for the Chants to test themselves against a diverse range of opponents and refine their strategies as the season unfolds. Fans can follow the team’s progress on X (@CoastalBeachVB), Facebook, and Instagram (@GoCCUSports), or visit goccusports.com for the latest updates.
The team’s performance this weekend, despite the losses, highlights the competitive nature of collegiate beach volleyball and the challenges of early-season competition. As Coastal Carolina prepares for the Wheeler Beach Bash, they will undoubtedly focus on refining their pairings and strategies to achieve more consistent results.
Share your thoughts on the Chants’ performance and what you expect to see in South Carolina in the comments below.
