GREENEVILLE, TENN. – The OUAZ Beach Volleyball team had a lot to celebrate in the first day of the NAIA National Invitational, winning both of its pool play games in Northern Tennessee. Not only did the Spirit set itself up to win Pool B to start the day on Friday, head coach Haleigh Carvalho earned her 100th career OUAZ win as head coach.
(2) OUAZ 3, (6) Saint Katherine 2
With the two and four pairs playing to start the day, the Spirit got off to an amazing start by earning the first two team points. Mattea Wilson and Olivia Andersh had an amazing first set at the twos, winning 21-9, then took a very close 24-22 second set for the sweep. Amanda Carlson and Grace Hughes had a straight-sets win as well, posting scores of 21-15 and 21-16.
The ones pair clinched the victory for OUAZ, battling hard in two sets. Summer Hanks and Diana Enriquez pulled out a gutsy 26-24 first-set victory, then finished off the morning with a 21-16 second set final. The team win also earned Carvalho her 100th victory of this very successful program.
(3) OUAZ 3, (7) Vanguard 2
The Spirit continued its resilient day, taking down Vanguard in another close 3-2 dual. In the first rotation, the twos came through again, as Wilson and Andersh won another 24-22 set, then won 21-14.
The fours of Shea Marovich and Dayana Raygoza were excellent in getting OUAZ a quick 2-0 lead through the first rotation. Marovich and Raygoza dominated in their straight-sets sweep, winning each set 21-12. Hanks and Enriquez clinched the perfect day for the Spirit, winning 21-14, then battling again for another long set in a 25-23 victory.
OUAZ will now finish pool play tomorrow with a matchup against (3) Park on Friday morning, then head into the Quarterfinals following re-seeding of the two pools. Full schedule and results can be found here.
