Florence, SC: The Golden Eagles started their Francis Marion Invitational tournament by facing off against host Francis Marion. They would then quickly turn around and play Queens University of Charlotte.
JUST THE BASICS:
Score: Charleston 3 Francis Marion 2
Location: Smith University Center
Team Records: Charleston (6-3, 0-0 MEC) Francis Marion (3-6, 0-0 Conference Carolinas )
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a weekend at home the University of Charleston Golden Eagles would embark on an 8 hour bus ride and make their way to Florence, South Carolina. The last two weekends ended with the Golden Eagles taking three out of four in the Christian Brothers Tournament and going .500 at the UC Invitational.
The first match against host Francis Marion would be the closest of the tournament for the Golden Eagles. The match went to five drama filled sets with the Golden Eagles going down early. A 14-25 loss to the Patriots in the first set would put Charleston in a hole right away. The Patriots dominated the first set, gaining the advantage on the first point and never losing the lead again in the set.
The Golden Eagles would take the next two sets by a close score of 25-20 and 25-23. This week the Golden Eagles were determined to win the close sets which they had been giving up in their last few close matches. The second and third set would showcase Charleston's ability to do just that, and on the road no less.
After the third set the Golden Eagles just needed to take one more to win the match and start the weekend strong. However, the Patriots would not go quietly. They would go on to battle out a long 25-21 victory in the fourth set to force a decisive fifteen-point fifth set.
The Golden Eagles would take the early lead and hold onto it for the rest of the set. The Patriots were defeated 15-11 in the fifth and final set. The match was highlighted by 17 tie scores and only 3 lead changes in the entire match. For the Golden Eagles taking a lead early and holding it for the rest of the set was the difference in the match. Unlike their home tournament where the Golden Eagles were unable to close sets, this week they made the adjustment and closed out the host Patriots in the fifth set.
JUST THE BASICS
Score: Charleston 3 Queens 1
Location: Smith University Center
Team Records: Charleston (7-3, 0-0 MEC) Queens (5-3, 2-0 SAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Eagles turned around and played shortly after their 1pm game by taking on Queens University of Charlotte at 6pm. In their first matchup against a SAC opponent in the 2021 season the Charleston would make some noise handily defeating Queens in four sets.
For the second game in a row the Golden Eagles would find themselves in an early hole, losing the first set 25-18. Charleston was up early but the Royals found a way to claw back and walk away with an early lead.
From there however it would be all Charleston. The second set was close, but again UC was able to finish those close sets by staying within their game plan of aggressiveness. The girls were able to constantly put pressure on the Royals by constantly going aggressively on the attack and finding ways to win points. The final score of the second set was 25-23 with Beyonce Andrews Collecting the final kill while being assisted by
Maria Hernandez.
The final two sets would end with the same score 25-17 with the Golden Eagles coming away victorious in both. The Golden Eagles collected only 1 ace in the match from the hand of Sage Bearnson, however Brooke Farley for the Royals collected 5 aces. As usual
Sage Bearnson led UC in Kills with
McKenzie Damon and
Beyonce Andrews closely behind her. Andrews also collected 4 blocks in the match.
UP NEXT:
UC will face off against the strong West Florida Argonauts on Saturday morning at 11am. The Argonauts will face the Golden Eagles boasting a 9-1 record.
Live Stats:
https://ucgoldeneagles.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
