MACON, Ga. — Southern Miss beach volleyball (10-15, 3-1 Sun Belt) split its final two matches at the Sun Belt Mid-Season Tournament at Bear Beach.
The Golden Eagles lost to Coastal Carolina (15-10, 5-0) by a 3-2 margin before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over UNCW (9-15, 3-3 Sun Belt).
Southern Miss opened the day against Coastal Carolina, which entered the tournament atop the Sun Belt standings. Coastal Carolina took the first point at the fours before Laurel Dennis and Sadie McAda tied the match at 1-1 with a 16-14 win in the third set of the fives. Coastal Carolina then took the lead with a 15-10 win in the third set of the threes. The Golden Eagles tied the match again with a 15-11 win at the second position but fell in the decisive second set at the second flight, 16-14, securing a 3-2 victory for Coastal Carolina.
Southern Miss responded with a dominant 4-1 victory over UNCW. The Seahawks took the first point at the top flight, but the Golden Eagles won the next four duals. Zuzanna Michalska and Abby Lewis overcame a first-set loss to win sets two and three. Giovanna Gurgel Bahia and Kitija Martini Adamsone secured the win at the third flight, and Iustina Corcoz and Y-Nhu Do clinched the dual with a 24-22 second set. Margarita Grigoreva and Ryann Thomas added the final point for Southern Miss.
The team will next compete in the FSU Challenge in Tallahassee, Florida, starting April 3. They will face No. 8 Loyola Marymount and Jacksonville on the opening day and play No. 5 Florida State and Jacksonville on the final day.
