GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) beach volleyball team opened the 2017 Badger Beach Bash on Saturday with consecutive victories over Houston Baptist University and Eckerd College by the scores of 3-2 and 4-1 respectively.
 
Spring Hill College 3, Houston Baptist University 2
 
1. Aeriel Horton/Jessica Wooten (HBU) def. Madison Seuzeneau/Julie Vujnovich (SHC) 14-21, 21-16, 15-12
2. Kayla Armer/Tori Hinojosa (HBU) def. Savannah Becnel/Molly Griffin (SHC) 23-25, 21-13, 15-10
3. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) def. Bailey Banks/Melissa Fuchs (HBU) 21-8, 21-19
4. Caroline Herrera/Hannah Masoner (SHC) def. Morgan McDaniel/Tiffany Thomas (HBU) 22-20, 21-16
5. Taylor Hurst/Catherine Milwee (SHC) def. Taylor Livoti/Danielle Wheeler (HBU) 15-21, 21-19, 15-12
Ext. Payton Gidney/Emily Greim (SHC) def. Madison O'Brien/Hannah Lewis (HBU) 21-15, 18-21, 15-13

 
Spring Hill College 4, Eckerd College 1
 
1. Rachel Cornatzer/Stephanie Bogda (ECK) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SHC) 21-14, 10-21, 15-11
2. Savannah Becnel/Molly Griffin (SHC) def. Madison Whiting/Kaitlyn Sibson (ECK) 21-19, 14-21, 15-12
3. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) def. Mackenzie Redner/Arielle Erillo (ECK) 21-17, 21-18
4. Hannah Masoner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) def. Savanna Cary/Abbie O'Ferrell (ECK) 21-17, 21-12
5. Catherine Milwee/Taylor Hurst (SHC) def. Katie Arnette/Keri McMahon (ECK) 21-17, 15-21, 15-5
Ext. Payton Gidney/Emily Greim (SHC) def. Margot Balliet/Haylee Bilbray (ECK) 21-16, 21-10

"Today was a great showing for the Badgers beach volleyball program," said Coach Shawn Taylor after the matches. "We played in a very strong head wind to start the day versus

HBU, but the ladies jumped out to an early lead at the No. 4 and No. 5 courts to put us in a great position for the match victory. Houston Baptist rebounded at the Nos. 1, 2, 
and 3 courts, so all matches were extremely competitive. I felt we were fortunate to get a win at the No. 3 position and clinch the match.

"The match versus Eckerd was similar in fashion," Taylor added. "With a tight match at pair No.5, Hurst and Milwee have been doing a great job of finding ways to win even when 
down. We locked the match with a win on the No. 3 court followed by a victory at No. 2. 

"We are extremely proud of our teams performance and we've done well at adjusting to the conditions, Taylor concluded. "We look forward to returning to action tomorrow versus 
ULM to start the day."

The Badgers (2-5) will continue play in the Beach Bash on Sunday beginning with a match versus the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Warhawks at 3 p.m.