TAVARES, Fla. – The Saint Leo beach volleyball team split in the opening day of the 2022 AVCA Small College Beach Championships on Thursday at the Hickory Point Beach Sand Volleyball Complex. The Lions defeated Carson-Newman (4-1) in the first match at noon but fell to Concordia Irvine (4-1).
 
Nina Vattovaz and Jeanette Henderson won a long and tough battle to secure the first pairing victory against the Eagles. Meanwhile, at the two spot, Aliya Fredette-Huffman and LeeAnn Potter rolled over their opponent, keeping them to single digits; 21-9, 21-6. Thursday marked the second meeting between Saint Leo and Carson-Newman. The programs last met earlier this season on March 27, where the Green and Gold recorded a 4-1 win in Macon, Ga. The first, second, fourth, and fifth pairings also bested their opponents from Carson-Newman in the regular-season tournament at Mercer.
 
Elizabeth Sandoval and Amanda Doherty took the sixth pairings against the Eagles during the second match of the afternoon.
 
Saint Leo Pairings Results vs Carson-Newman

1. Nina Vattovaz / Jeanette Henderson def. Sierra Still / Abbey Hildenbrand (18-21, 23-21, 17-15)
2. Aliya Fredette-Huffman / LeeAnn Potter def. Alanis Mendez / Julia Wheeler (21-9, 21-6)
3. Mia Toribio / Morgan Siwiec def. Ally-Reese Williams / Emma Miller (15-21, 21-11, 15-4)
4. Clare Flanagan / Brenna Reinhard def. Piper Halcrow / McKenna Hall (21-10, 21-18)
5. Elizabeth Sandoval / Amanda Doherty def. Lindsey Geurin / Taylor Keeran (21-14, 21-7)

Saint Leo Pairings Results vs Concordia Irvine

1. Hannah Phair / Vanessa Bernzen def. Nina Vattovaz / Jeanette Henderson (18-21, 21-19, 17-15)
2. Hailee Ryan / Sara Ostijic def. Aliya Fredette-Huffman / LeeAnn Potter (21-17, 21-14)
3. Shannon Evans / Tatum Smith def. Ally-Reese Williams / Emma Miller (21-13, 21-9)
4. Isabella Bush / Ellie Cary def. Clare Flanagan / Brenna Reinhard (21-22, 21-15)
5. Elizabeth Sandoval / Amanda Doherty def. Lauren Clifton / Nicole Miller (21-12, 21-16)

Up Next
On Friday, April 15, Saint Leo from Pool B will face Florida Southern from Pool A team, starting at 11:00 a.m. All teams will be assigned an additional match on Friday afternoon based on the results of the first match in the morning.
 
The AVCA Small Beach Championship bracket phrase will begin on Saturday. The four winners of Thursday and Friday's challenge round will advance to the Gold Bracket. The four losers of the challenge round will move onto the Silver Bracket. There will also be a Bronze pool play for the six teams remaining. The AVCA Division II Champion will be the winner of the Gold bracket.  
 
Live Coverage
For more details on the full championship schedule visit: https://www.avca.org/res/uploads/media/DII-Schedule.pdf
Live stats are available at: https://floridaregion.bracketpal.com/tournament/pool/135/atDjrxEf/yTX3uqK2q
Watch each court live: https://app.sporfie.com/company/-MxGNAltWTHjn9WLNF_k
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo beach volleyball, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.