Valentin Rodriguez (left) and Cristina Rotola won three matches at the NJCAA national championships in Huntsville, Ala.
Valentin Rodriguez (left) and Cristina Rotola won three matches at the NJCAA national championships in Huntsville, Ala.
Posted: Jul 25, 2024

Top moments of 2023-24: No. 3 - Beach volleybal lfinishes 7th in NJCAA championships

With a pair of victories on the final day of its second straight National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament gained Gaston College a seventh-place overall finish.

For a second straight season, coach Rachel Noreika's team opened in the three-team pool that included eventual national champion Palm Beach State, Fla.

But The Rhinos persevered to finish 10-24 overall that included a 2-16 record against four-year schools.

The No. 1 pair of Valentina Rodriguez and Cristina Rotola won three matches in the NJCAA nationals, including both on the final day, and two of their losses came in three-set losses to Mesa, Ariz. and Richard Bland.

The No. 2 pair of Naomi Hilliard and Maddie Dearing also won both of final day matches and had one three-set loss.

The No. 3 pair (Bianca Bowland and Milica Gavric) and No. 4 pair (Cameryn Reavis and Millea Styles) each won two matches and the No. 5 pair (Leilani Nolasco and Carli Phillips) won one one match.