Sandhills Beach Volleyball Secures Spot in NJCAA Championship Tournament

In a thrilling display of determination and skill, the Sandhills Community College Flyers' Beach Volleyball team secured a spot in the NJCAA Championship Tournament, finishing runner-up in the NJCAA Region 10 Championship tournament.

The championship game saw the Flyers facing off against a formidable opponent, Richard Bland College, ultimately falling short with a 3-0 defeat. However, it was their exceptional performance in the semi-finals against Gaston College that truly showcased the team's resilience and talent.

Gaston took two games from the Flyers in the regular season. Both times by a score of 3-2. This time the Flyers emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-2 win, securing their ticket to the NJCAA Championship Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024.

The Region 10 tournament format, with Flight one comprising pairs 1, 3, and 5, and Flight two consisting of pairs 2 and 4, added an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the competition. Alyssa Maragelis and Alexis Hinson, in the fifth pair, delivered a stellar performance, clinching the first victory for the Flyers with scores of 21-10 and 21-15.

Jenna Luquer and Aydan Bullard, in the third pair, engaged in a closely contested battle, ultimately conceding the match with set scores of 21-18, 18-21, and 6-15.

Dajsha Fields and Lainey Mullins, in the first pair, demonstrated their grit and skill, overcoming a setback in the first set to clinch victory with scores of 14-21, 21-11, and 15-7.

After their win on court one, Dajsha Fields shared, "Lainey and I set the bar high and went into the game with the intention that we were going to win. During the first set, there was a little bit of nerves but after the first set, it was on. We (Lainey and Coach Holly) made a new game plan and put our foot on the gas."

Coach Holly Mandeville echoed Fields' statement saying, "After dropping that first set, we had to make a change. After showing them the change we needed to make, I was super proud of them for going out there and putting that plan into action and coming out with a win."

The Flyers' victory in the final match of Flight one, courtesy of Fields and Mullins, propelled them to a 2-1 lead heading into Flight two.

Caroline Bradford and Emma Brown, although falling short in pair two, displayed remarkable determination and fought valiantly in two hard-fought sets.

However, the Flyers sealed the match in front of a raucous home crowd with a two-set win by Olivia Barlowe and Nikki Lambert, 21-13 and 21-18, securing the fourth pair win and the 3-2 final decision for the Flyers.

Reflecting on the intense matchup with Gaston College, sophomore Olivia Barlowe shared her thoughts, stating, "This match was super fun and competitive to play. Everyone left it all on the court in the matchup with Gaston." She emphasized the pivotal role of team energy, stating, "Everyone's energy and encouragement carried us through."

As Barlowe and Lambert secured the final win, the team's jubilant celebration on the court encapsulated the spirit and camaraderie of the Flyers' Beach Volleyball team.

While the championship title eluded them, the Flyers' journey in the NJCAA Region 10 Championship tournament serves as a testament to their resilience, skill, and determination. With their ticket to the NJCAA Championship Tournament secured, the Flyers are poised to make their mark on the national stage in Huntsville, Alabama.

Reflecting on the team's achievement, Dajsha Fields remarked, "Making it to Nationals is such a huge accomplishment for us and for our program, it just proves that the work is worth it."

Region 10 awards were also presented on Saturday with the Pair of the Year award going to Sarah Heath and Jordan Schlageter from Richard Bland College. Flyers Head Coach Alicia Riggan was named Region 10 Coach of the Year.