Montgomery, AL. -- The beach volleyball team began their spring training trip competing in Montgomery, Alabama against Stevenson University and Huntingdon College.  This is the second meeting this season against the Mustangs, and Principia scored 19 more points and earned a win from Noelle Shoemake and Sophia Hathaway at the #3 spot.

Principia took on host Huntingdon College next, and every match was competitive. Amanda Roberts and Mesa Goebel got the ball rolling, winning decidedly at the #5 spot 21-13, 21-18. #1s Emelie Fredrikson and Nikki Matters fought to 1-1, but struggled to find their rhythm in game three ending up with a "w" for HC . #2s Cha Cha Fisher and Devon Marunde played gritty in a tough match against a soulful HC team, but came out on the short end. #3s Shoemake and Hathaway did it again. They were always in control with Shoemake's hustle and Hathaway's IQ and won 21-15, 21-14. The team score was tied 2-2 with #4s Makena Patterson and Victoria Vandiver's match taking center court. The energy was palpable as both teams filled the perimeter of the sand cheering their team. Patterson and Vandiver fought long and hard, winning game one 21-19 and then barely losing game two 22-20. Game three was back and forth with lead changes, with the final game going to HC 15-11. 

#6s exhibition team Zoe Mahler and Laura Cluthe played Stevenson twice since Huntingdon did not have an exhibition team. Mahler and Cluthe worked well together and when they were in system, their offense was diverse and effective.

The Sandy Panthers hit the beach today for two a day training and will compete in Mobile, AL on Wednesday!