Beach Volleyball 3/9/2022 10:43:00 PM

Panthers Sweep Competition with Three Consecutive Shutouts at Day of Duals

ATLANTA- Entering the spring 2022 season with back-to-back tournament outings on the road, the Georgia State beach volleyball team returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to host the annual Day of Duals at the GSU Beach Volleyball Complex. With a slate of competition including matches against Coastal Carolina, Tusculum and Mercer, No. 16 GSU posted three consecutive shutouts in match play as the team improved to 8-4 on the season.

The Panthers have seen a bevy of early season challenges with matchups against five ranked opponents thus far in the spring. GSU would open the Day of Duals by facing a formidable conference opponent in Coastal Carolina.

The Panthers got off to a fast start with strong victories in positions No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 to set the day's tone. Angel Ferary and Bella Ferary posted a resounding victory, 21-5, 21-15, in the No. 4 flight— the sisters' first of three dominant wins on the day. The pair also accounted for one-sided wins over Tusculum, 21-10, 21-6, and Mercer, 21-10, 21-9 as the Ferary sisters move to 11-1 in match play.

Announced as Conference USA Pair of the Week on Wednesday, graduate transfers Yasmin Kuck and Kayla Whetstone followed up last weekend's success with victories in all three matches highlighted by a thrilling 29-27, 21-13 win over Mercer on court No. 2 to close out the evening of competition.

Top pair Kelly Dorn and Elise Saga remained steady as the duo made quick work of opponents in each set. Dorn and Saga posted victories over Coastal Carolina, 21-11, 22-20, Tusculum, 21-10, 21-16, and Mercer, 21-11, 21-16, en route to a perfect 3-0 record and 10-2 total on the season.

Eden Hawes and Maddy Delmonte partnered together once again this weekend as the Preseason All-Conference USA duo accounted for three victories in the team's third flight.

Ayla Johnson paired twice with Chloee Kleespies and once with Bailey Hatchett as court No. 5 was claimed by the Panthers in all three matches. Hatchett also partnered with Tyler Lindgren in the sixth flight for a victory over Tusculum, 21-12, 21-13. Becky Tresham and Destiny White held down the sixth position in each of Panthers' other two matches with stellar performances that included a 21-5, 21-5 clinic against Mercer.

In addition to collecting three straight resounding match victories, the Panthers managed to find victory in all but one set throughout the entirety of Wednesday's competition. With the wins, GSU has now shut out opponents in five of the team's 12 matches.

The impressive home outing will serve as a confidence and momentum booster leading up to the team's next tournament. Following a well-deserved off-weekend, GSU will travel to Gulf Shores, Ala. and return to play in the annual March to May. Competition will include rematches with Tulane and LSU, as well as matches against ranked opponents in UCLA, Grand Canyon and host UAB.

Follow @GSUBeachVB on social media for more information leading up to March to May, as well as for the latest news and updates throughout the spring season.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Maddy Delmonte: 5' 10"; Sophomore

#5 Kelly Dorn: 5' 9"; Sophomore

#22 Bailey Hatchett: 6' 2"; 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

#8 Ayla Johnson: 5' 10"; Sophomore

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

#12 Bella Ferary: 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Maddy Delmonte
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

#5 Kelly Dorn
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

#22 Bailey Hatchett
: 6' 2"; 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

#8 Ayla Johnson
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

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

#12 Bella Ferary
: 5' 4"; Junior