TAVARES, Fla. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) Sandy Badgers Beach Volleyball team fell 3-2 in a hard-fought decision to the top-seeded and eventual tournament champion Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelins (15-10) in the semi-final round of bracket play at the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Small College Championships at Hickory Point Beach on Sunday. The Badgers rallied to win the consolation bracket with a 3-2 outcome over the University of Tampa Spartans (12-10), securing a Third Place finish at the program's first national championship event.
 
Texas A&M Kingsville 3, Spring Hill College 2
 
1. Gabby Atchley/Whitney Walker (TAMK) def. Payton Gidney/Julie Vujnovich (SHC) 21-14, 21-12
2. Macy Berg/Madison Brabham (TAMK) def. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) 21-17, 21-17
3. Tenley Housler/Erin Umbel (TAMK) def. Caroline Herrera/Allison Weimer (SHC) 21-18, 21-16
4. Taylor Hurst/Catherine Milwee (SHC) def. Kyra Henderson/Haley Hutchinson (TAMK) 21-16, 22-20
5. Emmarose Neibert/Emily Sullivan (SH) def Madeline Sims/Loren Washington (TAMK) 21-11, 22-20
 
Spring Hill 3, Tampa 2
 
1. Melissa Elias/Sorrel Houghton (UT) def. Payton Gidney/Julie Vujnovich (SHC) 21-14, 18-21, 15-12
2. Brittany Bilotti/Sarah Senft (SHC) def. Gabbi Pacatte/Katie McKiel (UT) 11-21, 21-18, 16-14
3. Caroline Herrera/Allison Weimer (SHC) def. Leigh Buttner/Nicole Dominguez (UT) 21-12, 21-15
4. Taylor Hurst/Catherine Milwee (SHC) def. Nylah Demps/Taylor George (UT) 18-21, 21-13, 15-9
5. Alexandra Misca/Sarah Moore (UT) def. Emmarose Neibert/Emily Sullivan (SHC) 21-14, 21-15
 
After the matches, SHC head coach Shawn Taylor was proud of his team's effort throughout the challenging weekend. "We had a tough first match against Texas A&M-Kingsville," he said. "We picked up wins at the 4 and 5 courts and just needed to get one win at 1, 2 or 3, but couldn't find one."
 
"Tampa was a thrilling match as we dropped sets early in several pairs," Taylor said. "I was concerned about our effort and thought we came out a little flat, but when it looked like we might be on the losing end our team dug in and fought back. I'm very proud of how resilient these ladies are."
 
Taylor summed up his team's feelings following the two-day event as mixed. "We missed our goal of coming back with a first place trophy," he said. "But it's nice to return home on a win. We are very appreciative that the AVCA is supporting the small schools with a championship and the work that they put into helping things run smoothly over the weekend."
 
The Sandy Badgers (11-8) will close out the 2018 season at the Ohio Valley Beach Volleyball Challenge hosted by Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tenn., on Friday and Saturday.