Gaston College splits home-opening beach volleyball doubleheader on sun-splashed Monday afternoon
Gaston College could not have asked for better weather Monday to play its first home matches of the season in beach volleyball.
And it was a relief to finally get off the road and not have to battle the elements. The Rhinos responded to blue skies and temperatures in the 70s by splitting a pair of matches, defeating Lancaster Bible College 4-1 and dropping a 5-0 decision to Erskine College.
In the other match played at the Dallas Campus five-court layout, Erskine defeated Lancaster Bible College 4-1.
"Today was the first day we have actually had really nice weather," Gaston College coach Rachel Noreika said. "We have been battling the last two weeks in 40-degree temperatures and rain. It was a huge relief not to have that layer of stress."
It was the second meeting in three days between the Rhinos and Lancaster Bible College. They met last Friday in a weekend tournament at Liberty University, and the Rhinos won 3-2.
On Monday, they bettered the final margin of victory.
"I was pleased that we improved against Lancaster from Friday, and our No. 5 (team) had several opportunities to win that and make it a sweep," Noreika commented.
In the win, No. 1 pair Cristina Rotola/Val Rodriquez, No. 2 duo Naomi Hilliard/Maddie Dearing, No. 3 Milica Gavric/Millea Styles, and No. 4 pair Carli Phillips/Bianca Bowland took victories. The Rhinos' first three seeds won in two games, Phillips and Bowland won in three games, and No. 5 Ayden Main/Cameryn Reavis lost on a tiebreaker.
However, the Rhinos need to work on their energy level from game to game in a tournament setting.
"I thought we came out a little flat against Erskine," Noreika said. "We have to learn how to make quick adjustments and how to bring the same energy on the second and third games of the day and sustain that high energy level for an entire game."
The Rhinos travel to Berry College (Ga.) for another tournament this weekend. They play Catawba College and Berry College on Friday, Truett McConnell College and Florida Southern on Saturday.