Women’s beach volleyball wraps up season by sweeping JuCo programs in N.C.

Gallery: (4-16-2024) Women's beach volleyball

Liberty University women's beach volleyball team concluded its 2024 spring season by sweeping matches against JuCo programs Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) College and Sandhill Community (N.C.) College last weekend in Pinehurst, N.C.

The Lady Flames opened Saturday's contests with three victories in straight sets over SMC, with the Pioneers only bringing an abbreviated squad of three pairings to the event.

Liberty continued this dominance into its competition against SCC, holding the host Flyers at bay for a 5-0 triumph in straight sets to finish the dual season on a five-match winning streak. The Lady Flames concluded the year with a 19-13 record.

Despite it being the final competition of the semester, several of Liberty's players were unable to make the trip due to other commitments, allowing some of the younger players the chance for more playing time.

"It was a great opportunity to get some of the underclassmen more travel competition experience," Liberty Head Coach Jessica Nelson said. "It was great. Obviously, we had home events March 1-2, but to get to travel and play is an entirely different experience."

Nelson specifically highlighted the play of freshman Katy Parker, who joined the team last semester and began fully practicing as a Lady Flame in January.

"It's so exciting to see the younger players get more opportunities and I'm excited for their future in the sand," she added.

Last weekend's victories continued the recent success experienced by the Lady Flames.

After falling to NCAA DI Eastern Kentucky (5-0) on April 6, Liberty got on a hot streak by defeating NCAA DII McKendree (Ill.) University (4-1) on April 6, before beating Richard Bland University, a JuCo program, twice (5-0, 4-1) at home on April 9.

Although the team does not have any more matches scheduled for this semester, it will host a volleyball clinic Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. for middle school and high school athletes, the Crown of the Beach event Thursday from 6-11 p.m., and a pairs tournament on Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

Liberty 0, EKU 5 (April 6)
1. Lizzy Armstrong/Sydnie Metzker lost 4-21, 15-21; 2. Grace Cropper/Jillian Kater lost 15-21, 10-21; 3. Avaree Kellert/Cara Lecklider lost 16-21, 17-21; 4. Brenna Rae Bentley/Abbie Luke lost 10-21, 19-21; Kinley Phillips/Brie Olson lost 15-21, 26-24, 13-15; Maggie Marable/Eliza Griffin lost 19-21, 20-22

Liberty 4, McKendree 1 (April 6)
1. Armstrong/Metzker won 21-17, 13-21, 15-11; 2. Cropper/Kater won 21-18, 21-14; 3. Kellert/Lecklider won 21-19, 21-19; 4. Bentley/Luke won 21-17, 21-14; 5. Phillips/Olson lost 17-21, 18-21; 6. Marable/Griffin won 21-8, 21-15

Liberty 5, Richard Bland 0 (April 9)
1. Armstrong/Metzker won 21-18, 23-21; 2. Cropper/Kater won 21-13, 21-19; 3. Kellert/Lecklider won 21-15, 21-13; 4. Bentley/Luke won 21-14, 21-11; 5. Phillips/Olson won 13-21, 26-24, 15-10

Liberty 4, Richard Bland 1 (April 9)
1. Armstrong/Metzker won 21-18, 21-16; 2. Cropper/Kater won 24-22, 21-17; 3. Kellert/Lecklider won 21-14, 21-13; 4. Bentley/Luke won 22-24, 21-12, 15-11; 5. Griffin/Marable lost 21-14, 22-24, 13-15

Liberty 3, Spartanburg Methodist College 0 (April 13)
1. Armstrong/Cropper won 21-10, 21-8; 2. Lecklider/ Griffin won 21-17, 21-16; 3. Luke/Bentley won 21-11, 21-7

Liberty 5, Sandhill Community College 0 (April 13)
1. Armstrong/Cropper won 21-13, 21-9; 2. Lecklider/Griffin 21-7, 21-9; 3. Luke/Bentley won 21-9, 21-7; 4. Olson/Phillips; 5. Gracie Hall/Ava Ewald won 21-12, 21-19; 6. Ava Pilar Suarez/Katy Parker won 21-15, 21-18

By Christian Shields/Staff Writer

Women’s beach volleyball wraps up season by sweeping JuCo programs in N.C.

Players Mentioned

Lizzy Armstrong

Grace Cropper

Ava Ewald

Eliza Griffin

Gracie Hall

Jillian Kater

Avaree Kellert

Cara Lecklider

Maggie Marable

Sydnie Metzker

Katy Parker

Kinley Phillips

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