ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) beach volleyball team opened the 2017 season five losses at the University of North Florida Invitational at St. Augustine Pier on Saturday and Sunday.
 
No. 13 UNF 5, Spring Hill 0
 
1. Katarina RAICEVIC/Courtney MILLER (UNF) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SHC) 21-11, 21-18
2. Chaney HOWARD/Lauren GAINER (UNF) def. Molly Griffin/Savannah Becnel (SHC) 21-19, 21-11
3. Kimberly FERGUSON/Carina HOFF (UNF) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-12, 21-19
4. Nicole DeBOLT/Shannon McPHERSON (NF) def Hannah Masoner/Caroline Herrera (SH) 21-16, 19-21, 15-7
5. Brittany PASE/Gabby O'CONNELL (UNF) def. Payton Gidney/Emily Greim (SHC) 19-21, 21-16, 16-14
Ext. Taryn GRIFFEY/Sadie THURSTON (UNF) def. Catherine Milwee/Patty Blood (SHC) 21-14, 21-12
 
South Carolina 5, Spring Hill 0
 
1. Katie Smith/Katie Zimmerman (SCAR) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SHC) 21-7, 21-15
2. Amanda Culbert/Ali Denney (SCAR) def. Savannah Becnel/Molly Griffin (SHC) 21-17, 21-19
3. Julia Mannisto/Carly Schnieder (SCAR) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-9, 21-13
4. Macie Tendrich/Shannon Williams (SCAR) def. Hannah Masoner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) 21-12, 21-15
5. Jade Vitt/Franky Harrison (SCAR) def. Payton Gidney/Emily Greim (SHC) 21-8, 21-12
Ext. Hannah Edelman/Caroline Skaff (SCAR) def. Catherine Milwee/Taylor Hurst (SHC) 21-16, 21-12
 
College of Charleston 5, Spring Hill 0
 
1. Maddie Hills/Katja Ehlers (COC) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SHC) 21-15, 23-21
2. Krissy Mummey/McKala Rhodes (COC) def. Savannah Becnel/Molly Griffin (SHC) 21-18, 21-17
3. Kennedy Madison/Riana Brennan (COC) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-14, 14-21, 15-6
4. Devon Rachel/Allison Beckman (COC) def. Hannah Masoner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) 21-17, 21-11
5. Taylor Foley/Lauren Freed (COC) def. Emily Greim/Payton Gidney (SHC) 21-17, 21-14

"Thought we came out incredibly tight and for most of the first match were really battling ourselves," SHC coach Shawn Taylor said after the first day of competition. "We settled into a nice rhythm and were able to push them at several spots including Masoner and Herrera playing at the No. 4 spot and Greim and Gidney at the No. 5 court. South Carolina was playing a level above us today and after their early win versus Florida International they are looking to finish atop the heap. We mounted some late charges in a few positions, but couldn't quite push a third set in any of the matches. College of Charleston was our third and final match of the day. Hurst and Milwee were able to win the exhibition match while Bilotti and Senft played at the No. 3 spot went three sets before dropping the match. Overall, I am very pleased with how we were able to finish matches. We just need to do a better job of getting out of the gate."
 
UNC-Wilmington 4, SHC 1
 
1. Tanna Aljoe/Nicole Lott (UNCW) def. Julie Vujnovich/Madison Seuzeneau (SSHC) 21-19, 21-12
2. Emily Corrigan/Katie McCullough (UNCW) def. Savannah Becnel/Molly Griffin (SHC) 21-18, 19-21, 15-11
3. Mandy Kline/Raquel Rooney (UNCW) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-11, 21-17
4. Sydney Alvis/Sarah Kelly (UNCW) def. Hannah Masoner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) 21-17, 21-23, 15-13
5. Catherine Milwee/Taylor Hurst (SHC) def. Bella Borgiotti/Kati Smith (UNCW) 21-18, 21-19
 
Georgia State 5, SHC 0
 
1. Chelsea Ross/Delaney Rohan (GSU) def. Madison Seuzeneau/Julie Vujnovich (SHC) 21-16, 21-12
2. LeeAnn Starr/Haley Pa'akaula (GSU) def. Savannah Becnel/Molly Griffin (SHC) 21-11, 21-14
3. Brooke Weiner/Jessica Fourspring (GSU) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-16, 21-12
4. Sarah Agnew/Georgia Johnson (GSU) def. Hannah Masoner/Caroline Herrera (SHC) 21-12, 21-16
5. Allie Elson/Amie Held (GSU) def. Catherine Milwee/Taylor Hurst (SHC) 21-19, 21-9
Ext. Ashley McGinn/Maddie Gordon (GSU) def. Patty Blood/Payton Gidney (SHC) 21-11, 21-13
 
"Obviously as a coach you'd like to come away from the weekend with a couple of wins, Taylor said after the final match. "With that being said, the growth our program has taken in such a short period is incredible. Today we faced a strong crosswind, but we were able to execute at a fairly high level which allowed us to do some things tactically that we've struggled with in the past. Hurst and Milwee were able to get us out to the lead against UNC-W with an early win and we had two teams battle to a 15-13 loss in third sets. I'm proud of the way we competed and think this weekend prepares us nicely for our home tournament next weekend."
 
The Badgers (0-5) will host the Badger Beach Blast in Gulf Shores, Ala., on Saturday and Sunday.