Flyers Split Doubleheader at Saint Andrews, Set Sights on Region 10 Championship

The Sandhills Community College beach volleyball team hit the road on Tuesday afternoon for a doubleheader against St. Andrews University, bouncing back from a 4-1 loss in the opener to claim a 3-2 victory in the second match.

Sophomores Jenna Luquer and Caroline Bradford led the charge with two gritty wins at the No. 2 pair. In the opening match, they rallied from a set down to defeat SAU's Kyra Kiouzek and Jenna Wensink, 14-21, 21-19, 15-9. They followed that with a straight-set victory in Game 2 over Kyra Kiouzek and Madison Larimore, 21-17, 21-19.

The No. 1 duo of Aydan Bullard and Nikki Lambert also found redemption in the second match, overcoming a rough start to win 7-21, 21-17, 15-11 against Kyra McKinney and Carley Pelletier. The pair displayed strong mental toughness and improved communication as the match wore on.

In the No. 3 spot, Lainey Mullins and Reagan Smith picked up a clutch win in Game 2, outlasting Emily Hinchcliffe and Bella DiDonna in a thrilling first set before closing it out 24-22, 21-16. The victory secured the team win for Sandhills.

In exhibition play, Kennedy Koziarz and Julia Emore capped the day with a convincing 21-15, 21-17 win over Corina Villanueva and Haley Corman, giving the Flyers momentum heading into postseason play.

The Flyers will now turn their attention to the Region 10 Championship, which they will host on Friday, April 18 at the Sandhills beach courts. Sandhills will open the tournament at 11 AM against Wake Tech, with the winner advancing to face Richard Bland College at 1 PM for the Region 10 title.