TAVARES, Fla. – The Concordia University Irvine beach volleyball team headed into the last day of the AVCA Small College Championships Saturday as they advanced into the semifinals.
 
It was a tough day for the Eagles as they played their hearts out and finished fourth in the tournament. The Eagles certainly made a notable impression in program history making it to the tournament for the first time as well as getting into the semifinals.
 
The first match-up in the morning was a hard fought battle between both CUI and Spring Hill College. Four out of the five matches went to three sets and they could've gone to either team. Phair and Bernzen lost in the first set and bounced back to win the second and challenged the Badgers not making it an easy third set. Ryan and Ostojic lost the first by just two points and the second set went in favor of the Eagles as they made some changes that SHC could not get away with in the last two sets. Evans and Smith was the other duo to win in two sets in the third slot.
 
After the loss to Spring Hill College, the Eagles moved to play for third place against University of Tampa (FL). CUI played this team yesterday and was able to make some changes to their game play in hopes to take the win. Phair and Bernzen used the game Friday to their advantage that led to their win in the first slot in three. Flights two and three both won the first set and lost the following two. Bush and Cary took Spartans in a dominating game not allowing them to score more than 12 points.
 
Spring Hill College (AL) 3, Concordia University Irvine 2

1. Kassandra Fairly/Jessie Fairly (SHC) def. Hannah Phair/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI) 14-21, 21-16, 18-16
2. Hailee Ryan/Sara Ostojic (CUI) def. Mikayla Boyer/Natalie Bonner (SCH) 20-22, 21-12, 15-8
3. Shannon Evans/Tatum Smith (CUI) def. Leanne Sorrel/Kyla Snappell (SHC) 21-17, 21-16
4. Brooke Borgmeyer/Linnea Beger (SHC) def. Isabella Bush/Ellie Cary (CUI) 18-21, 21-16, 18-16
5. Briley Becker/Emily Weinzapfel (SHC) def. Eva Prewitt/Nicole Miller (CUI) 17-21, 21-13, 15-12

 
Concordia University Irvine 2, University of Tampa (FL) 3

1. Hannah Phair/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI)Kiersten Anderson/Maddie Brunick (UT) 21-18, 15-21, 15-11
2. Julia Oswald/Payton Brunick (UT) def. Hailee Ryan/Sara Ostojic (CUI) 14-21, 21-16, 15-9
3. Katie McKiel/Melissa Elias (UT) def. Shannon Evans/Tatum Smith (CUI) 19-21, 21-19, 16-14
4. Isabella Bush/Ellie Cary (CUI) def. Gia Marinelli/Rachel Rosequist (UT) 21-11, 21-12
5. Cassidy Ehrie/Valerie Rosequist (UT) vs. Lauren Clifton/Nicole Miller (CUI) 21-10, 21-16

 
CUI finished the season with their best record in program history 22-6 and only lost one out of 11 matches at home.
 
To see the full CUI beach volleyball schedule click HERE.