The Daily Gamecock

Beach volleyball to host Palmetto Invitational

After a 2-2 outing at the LSU Beach Invitational, the South Carolina Beach Volleyball team will finish out the season hosting the Palmetto Invitational.

The Gamecocks will face Tulane and Missouri State on Friday and UNC Wilmington and College of Charleston on Saturday to round out the weekend. 

South Carolina comes into the final weekend sporting a 15-8 record despite its SEC record of 5-6. The Gamecocks have a 6-1 record at Wheeler Beach, with a home court advantage.

Senior Shannon Williams and her partner, graduate transfer Cadie Bates, hold the No. 1 position for the Gamecocks and have a record of 14-8. 

The Gamecocks are 11th in the national rankings by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and have wins against second-ranked Southern California and fourth-ranked LSU.

This weekend will recognize the seven athletes who will not be returning next season: Cadie Bates, AJ Baumann, Lydia Dimke, Lauryn Gillis, Caroline Skaff, Shannon Williams and Delaney Wood. 

Tulane comes into the tournament with a 15-12 record, led by duo Eva Toruella and Kaylie McHugh, who are 16-7 in their matches this year and hold the number one position of the lineup. The pairing will be a major key for the Green Wave if they want to have a successful weekend. 

Missouri State travels to Wheeler Beach with a record of 11-8, riding a winning streak of six matches. 

UNC Wilmington previously faced South Carolina this season in a game that resulted in a 5-0 sweep for the Gamecocks. The Seahawks are currently on a four-game losing streak and are 7-10 on the year. 

In-state rival College of Charleston comes in with a 14-2 record, falling only to Arizona State and Georgia State. Both of those losses came in College of Charleston's most recent tournament. 

The Gamecocks will head into the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association Conference Tournament from April 19 to 21.

South Carolina's performance this season and 11th ranking also put them in a position for a postseason run. The NCAA Tournament will be held in Gulf Shores, Alabama from May 3 to 5.


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