Tough Opponents Providing Learning Experience for Lady Flyers Beach Squad
The Sandhills Community College, Spartanburg Methodist and Bob Jones University beach volleyball teams basked in the sun for a second day of matches on Saturday at the Flyers Invitational.
As on Friday, the Lady Flyers (0-6) were defeated 4-1 by Spartanburg Methodist and 5-0 by Bob Jones, but Coach Alicia Riggan found plenty of reasons to be encouraged by the improvement shown against more experienced opponents.
Bob Jones University is a four-year college. The Bruin squad included members of the volleyball team that won the school's fourth consecutive National Christian College Athletic Association national title while compiling a record of 31-7 last November.
Spartanburg Methodist has already played in 15 matches this season.
"I think it was a learning experience," Riggan said. "For three quarters of our team they're just learning beach volleyball. The energy is there and the girls are starting to see glimpses of success. From the beginning of February until now, I'm really excited about where we're at.
"And, what another beautiful day it was to have beach volleyball."
Highlights of Saturday morning's matches included the No. 3 doubles of freshmen Kaitlyn Locklear and L'Asia Jackson, extending their Bruin opponents to a tiebreaker set where they lost 15-12.
In another of the morning matches, the Flyers' No. 4 of freshman KeKe Lawrence and sophomore Mya Mallard were nipped 21-19 in a bid to force a third set.
Riggan was impressed by the way Lawrence, a second team All-American selection as a freshman middle blocker during the indoor season, is adapting to the outdoor game that requires more movement and more responsibilities with two players covering the entire court.
"I went from being at the net and blocking, to having to get off, pass and cheer my teammates," the product of Lumberton High School said. "It's different, but I have teammates that are supporting and believing in me.
"Being on a winning team indoors and coming out, this is all new to us, but the best thing about this team is that we are all competitive and we all want to win."
Camryn Lowe, a North Moore High School grad, recorded over 1,500 assists as a Flyer setter indoors, She teamed up with Lexie Allen on the No. 1 doubles for both days. She feels the strong athletes and teams they've been facing this spring will make the team better.
"We'll see Spartanburg Methodist again and hopefully we'll figure out some things during practice and the whole process will work out," she said.
The Lady Flyers travel to South Carolina for the Spartanburg Methodist College Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
They are scheduled to meet Erskine College at 4 p.m. and the host team at 6 p.m. on Friday. They play Spartanburg Methodist again at 9 a.m. on Saturday followed by a match against Gaston College at 11.
The No. 2 doubles for the Flyers in both of Saturday's matches were Abby Quick and Maddie Harris, and the No. 5 were J'Lasia Ray and Mackenzie Swett. Also on Saturday, Bob Jones defeated Spartanburg Methodist 3-2.
C. Bergmann