Beach Volleyball 2/26/2022 8:50:00 PM

Panthers Wrap Up Opening Weekend in New Orleans with Wins Against Spring Hill, Nicholls

NEW ORLEANS- Opening the season at the Green Wave Invitational in New Orleans, the Georgia State beach volleyball team closed out its first weekend of spring 2022 tournament play with back-to-back wins against Spring Hill College, 4-1, and Nicholls, 5-0, on Saturday. Competing as a new member of Conference USA in the league's inaugural beach volleyball season, the Panthers begin the season 2-2 with the wins.

After dropping close matches against Tulane and LSU on Friday, GSU secured victories in both of Saturday's matches with a strong team performance across all flights. Senior Kelly Dorn and junior Elise Saga displayed particularly impressive outings for the team as the duo finished 4-0 in weekend play. The pair knocked off Tulane in three sets while playing in the No. 2 flight for the Panthers, then went on to defeat top pairs from LSU, Spring Hill and Nicholls in straight sets while playing in the No. 1 flight.

Sisters Angel Ferary and Bella Ferary also posted a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend while competing in the No. 4 flight for GSU. The sisters' performance as a pair over the weekend was highlighted by a dominant 21-13, 21-9 outing as GSU faced Nicholls.

Graduate transfer Tyler Lindgren partnered with freshman Destiny White in flights No. 5 and No. 6 as both newcomers entered competition with the Panthers for the first time. Finishing 3-0, the pair accounted for three decisive victories including a win, 21-6, 21-11, over Nicholls.

Named as a member of the Preseason All-Conference USA beach volleyball team earlier in the week, fifth year senior Eden Hawes resumed play with the Panthers while pairing with graduate transfer Yasmin Kuck in flights No. 1 and No. 2. Hawes and Kuck each entered their fifth season of collegiate competition with the season-opening tournament as the duo accounted for two wins, including a one-sided 21-2, 21-10 straight set victory over Nicholls.

Playing in the No. 3 flight, graduate transfer Chloee Kleespies began her tenure with the Panthers partnering alongside senior Becky Tresham. The duo recorded two wins for GSU while contributing to the team's sweep in match play on Saturday.

GSU will return to action for the team's second weekend of tournament play on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5 at the Horned Frog Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Friday's slate of competition will include matches against Stetson at 10:30 a.m. ET followed by Florida State at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Panthers will see another quick turnaround on Saturday as the team gets set to face South Carolina at 8:30 a.m. ET followed by TCU at 12:30 p.m. ET and Central Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Follow @GSUBeachVB on social media for the latest news and updates throughout the Sandy Panthers' spring 2022 campaign.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Kelly Dorn: 5' 9"; Sophomore

#23 Eden Hawes: 5' 8"; Junior

#24 Becky Tresham: 5' 8"; Sophomore

#4 Elise Saga: 5' 9"; Freshman

#1 Angel Ferary: 5' 4"; Junior

#6 Destiny White: 5' 11"; Sophomore

#10 Yasmin Kuck: 5' 11"; Graduate Student

#12 Bella Ferary: 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#5 Kelly Dorn
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

#23 Eden Hawes
: 5' 8"; Junior

#24 Becky Tresham
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

#4 Elise Saga
: 5' 9"; Freshman

#1 Angel Ferary
: 5' 4"; Junior

#6 Destiny White
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

#10 Yasmin Kuck
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student

#12 Bella Ferary
: 5' 4"; Junior