Gaston College loses weekend beach volleyball matches

Gaston College dropped three beach volleyball matches over the weekend at Upward Start Center in Spartanburg, S.C.

The Rhinos lost 5-0 to Bryant & Stratton, Va., on Friday and lost 5-0 to Richard Bland and host Spartanburg Methodist 5-0 on Saturday.

"This weekend was both frustrating and encouraging," Gaston College coach Rachel Noreika said. "Most of our pairs were competitive with each team and several lost by pretty close margins. While that's incredibly frustrating, it's also really encouraging because we continue to improve across the board, pairs 1 through 5.
"Our overall record doesn't reflect the progress we're making and God willing, if we're able to stay healthy, I think we will be competitive with every team in our conference in a few weeks time."

The Rhinos used the following groups for pairs Nos. 1 through 5 - Emma Downey and Cristina Rotola, Naomi Hilliard and Elizabeth Jones, Millea Styles and Kristy Seifert, Bianca Bowland and Carli Phillips and Leilani Nolasco and Cameryn Reavis.

Bowland/Phillips had the most competitive efforts with 2-1 losses in two of their three matches.

"Playing in the No. 4 pairing, Bianca Bowland and Carli Phillips played well and had a chance to win each of their matches, losing two out of their three matches in close third sets (17-21, 21-18, 15-19 and 20-22, 21-18, 15-17). Our No. 1 (Downey and Rotola) and No. 2 pairs (Hilliard and Jones) both had chances to win each of their matches as well."

Gaston College (1-8) returns to action Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.